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Rafiq Thompson was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 31-year-old Tamara Cornelius, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said.
Thompson is believed to have followed Cornelius out of the Cheesecake Factory before fatally shooting her while she pumped gas at the Exxon Station in Upper Merion Township on Friday, April 8, the DA 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.
A Monday autopsy found that Cornelius was pregnant at the time of her murder, the DA's office said. They will be filing an additional murder charge against Thompson.
Thompson was being held in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail.
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