Pregnant Woman Shot And Killed While Pumping Gas, Suspect Kept Shooting As She Tried To Run Away: Report

A woman was shot to death while she pumped gas, and a suspect now faces murder charges, officials said.

Last week, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of Rafiq Thompson, 38. He turned himself in to police about a week after the alleged killing of Tamara Cornelius, 31.

Around 10:30 p.m. on April 8, police in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, responded to a gas station for a reported shooting. When police arrived, they found Cornelius with multiple gunshot wounds, according to prosecutors.

She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators said Cornelius and Thompson had a previous relationship. They talked outside a Cheesecake Factory and Cornelius went to a parking garage. She then drove to the gas station and Thompson followed her.

At the station, Thompson got out of his car while Cornelius was pumping gas. He spoke to her and then shot her, prosecutors said.

Thompson kept shooting even as Cornelius ran away.

An autopsy showed that Cornelius was pregnant when she was shot and killed, prosecutors noted.

“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,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said. “Our thoughts are with Ms. Cornelius’ family and friends at this sad time.”