It happened around 22:30 on Friday at the 100 block of North Gulph Road. The Montgomery County Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Rafik Thompson from Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon. Upper Merion Municipal Police were dispatched to Exxon Station at 113 N. Gulph Road to report the shooting. When they arrived at the scene, they found the victim, identified as Tamara Cornelius, lying in the parking lot and suffering multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken to Paoli Hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. A homicide investigation conducted by the Upper Merion Township Police Department and the Montgomery County Detective Office revealed that the suspect and the victim had previously been in a relationship. Investigators say the two met and talked for a while before Cornelius went out to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. After visiting the restaurant, she drove to Exxon at 113 North Gulph Road. Police say Thompson followed her to the gas station. As Cornelius was pumping gas into her vehicle, police say Thompson got out of his vehicle and fired several shots at her, even when she tried to flee. An autopsy revealed she was pregnant at the time of her death. “This was a gruesome murder of a young woman and her unborn child. We will file an additional charge of homicide against the accused – Murder of an unborn child,” said Montgomery County Attorney Kevin Steele. Thompson must be considered armed and dangerous as the weapon was not found at the scene. People at the gas station on Saturday said they were shocked. “This is ridiculous, this is really crazy,” said Kendra Baugus of Roxborough. “Yeah Al that sounds pretty crap to me, Looks like BT aint for me either, Looks like BT aint for me either. The president of “Women Against Abuse” is not familiar with the specifics of this case, but says that when people are in the process of leaving it can be the most dangerous moment. “Relationships can be very complicated, but always remember that domestic violence has to do with power and control – and when that person feels they are losing that sense of control, things tend to escalate,” said Joanna. Otero-Cruz. He adds that there are many resources available and it is important that we turn to them for help. “Talk to a domestic violence counselor who can look into the security precautions people can take when they are in an abusive relationship,” Otero-Cruz said. If anyone has any information on Rafiq Thomson’s whereabouts, please call Upper Merion Township Police on 610-265-3232 or the Montgomery County Detectives Advice Line on 610-278-DOIT (3638). You can submit anonymous text tips using MontcoCrimeTips at STOPit! application. Copyright © 2022 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
