ALLENTOWN, Pa — An Allentown man has been sentenced to life in prison for murder, attempted homicide and aggravated assault.
Rami Abouloh, 42, was convicted of the felonies — all first-degree — after killing his wife and shooting and injuring a second victim in a Whitehall Township park last year.
Lehigh County Judge Robert Steinberg delivered the sentence Thursday.
A news release from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said Whitehall Township police were called before 7 p.m. on June 13, 2023, for reports of gunfire at West Catasauqua Park.
Officers found Abouloh's wife, 35-year-old Patricia White, on the ground unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio ruled her death a homicide.
The second victim, Frank Russo, was found nearby with four gunshot wounds and required surgery, according to the district attorney's office.
Aboulou called 911 minutes later and identified himself as the shooter. He was taken into custody at his home in Allentown, where police recovered the handgun used in the shooting.
As Abouloh was arrested, he uttered, "That's what happens when you cheat," according to an affidavit of probable cause.
According to Holihan, a first-degree murder conviction in Pennsylvania is an automatic life sentence without possibility of parole.
Steinberg also ordered Abouloh to serve a consecutive 20 to 40 years in state prison for the attempted killing of Russo.