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Thompson is believed to have followed 31-year-old Tamara Cornelius out from the Cheesecake Factory before shooting and killing her while she pumped gas at the Exxon Station in Upper Merion Township on April 7, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said.
Thompson and Cornelius had been in a relationship, authorities said. They met and talked briefly at 9:11 p.m. Cornelius then went out for dinner at the Cheesecake Factor. She left at 10:15 p.m., walked to the parking garage, then drove to the Exxon station.
Thompson followed her the whole time, authorities said.
While Cornelius was pumping gas, Thompson stepped out of his car, spoke to Cornelius and then shot her. He continued to shoot her as she tried to free herself.
Four, 9 mm cartridge casings and a take-out bag from The Cheesecake Factory were found on the front seat of the victim’s car.
Cornelius was found lying in the Gulph Road gas station parking lot with gunshot wounds around 10:20 p.m. She was transported to Paoli Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:09 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday by the Chester County Coroner’s Office.
Thompson is to be considered armed and dangerous as the firearm was not recovered at the scene. Thompson is Black, stands 5' 7" and weighs approximately 170 pounds. If Thompson is spotted, call 911 immediately.
For tips about Thompson’s whereabouts, the public is asked to call Upper Merion Township Police at 610-265-3232 or the Montgomery County Detectives’ Tip Line at 610-278-DOIT (3638).
Anonymous text tips can be submitted using MontcoCrimeTips on the STOPit! app. The STOPit! app can be downloaded for free from the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Androids, then use code MONTCOPA to get the Montgomery County version of the app.
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