A man who fatally shot his ex-wife last year in a Whitehall Township park will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Rami Abouloh, 42, of Allentown — convicted May 31 of first-degree murder in the death of Patricia White and attempted homicide in the shooting of Frank Russo — was sentenced Thursday by Lehigh County Judge Robert Steinberg.
In Pennsylvania, a first-degree murder conviction carries an automatic sentence of life without possibility of parole. Steinberg also ordered Abouloh to serve a consecutive 20-40 years for the attempted murder of Russo.
Just before 7 p.m. June 13, 2023, Whitehall police were called for reports of gunfire at West Catasauqua Playground, where they found White on the ground unresponsive. White, 35, of Allentown, died from multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide by the Lehigh County coroner.
Russo, found nearby, was shot four times and required surgery.
Minutes after the shooting, Abouloh called 911 and identified himself as the shooter. He was taken into custody at his home on East Hamilton Street in Allentown, and the handgun used in the shooting was recovered from the home.
When Abouloh was arrested, he said, “That’s what happens when you cheat,” police said.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey D. Burd and Assistant District Attorney Sis-Obed Torres-Figueroa. It was investigated by detectives Moses Miller and James Bruchak of the Lehigh County District Attorney Homicide Task Force and Whitehall Township Detective Matthew D. Reszek.
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