NORRISTOWN — A Philadelphia man turned himself in to police in connection to the shooting death of a 31-year-old woman in King of Prussia Friday, April 8, 2022.
Rafiq Thompson, 38, of North 47th Street in Philadelphia is charged with first-degree murder and related charges stemming from the shooting death of Tamara Cornelius.
Upper Merion Township Police were dispatched at 10:22 p.m. to the Exxon Station at 113 N. Gulph Road for a report of shots fired. They arrived to find Cornelius suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to Paoli Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
A joint homicide investigation by Upper Merion Township Police and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau found that the defendant and victim had a prior relationship and that the two had talked earlier that evening outside of The Cheesecake Factory at the King of Prussia Mall. The investigation revealed the victim left the restaurant at 10:15 p.m., walked to the mall parking garage, then drove to the Exxon Station. The defendant followed her. While Cornelius was pumping gas, Thompson stepped out of his car, spoke to her and then shot her multiple times, continuing as she attempted to run away. An autopsy found that Cornelius was pregnant at the time of her death.
“This violent criminal is now safely behind bars due to the great work of the Upper Merion Police and Montgomery County Detectives. I want to thank the public for the many tips we received, which put a spotlight on the defendant,” said DA Steele. “Our thoughts are with Ms. Cornelius’ family and friends at this sad time.”
Thompson is charged with first-degree murder, person not to possess a firearm, possessing an instrument of a crime and related charges. Thompson is awaiting arraignment at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, at which time a preliminary hearing will be set. Bail is not available for first-degree murder charges.
Source: Berkshire mont
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