Oluwabukola Pereira killing remains under investigation after Nigerian athlete was shot dead in Ohio robbery incident

Police authorities in the United States are continuing investigations into the killing of Nigerian middle-distance athlete Oluwabukola Pereira, who was shot dead during an alleged robbery in Lockland, Ohio, days before she was due to complete her MBA studies.

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The 30-year-old athlete was killed on May 8 at the Arise Auto Center located on North Wayne Avenue, where she worked as a cashier.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the shooting prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order as officers secured the area and warned residents to avoid nearby streets during the early stages of the investigation.

Authorities said Pereira died at the scene from gunshot injuries.

According to local reports, investigators have appealed to residents and business owners in Lockland and neighbouring Lincoln Heights to provide surveillance footage that could assist the investigation.

“Detectives are asking residents and business owners in both Lockland and nearby Lincoln Heights to review any available surveillance footage, including Ring camera video, for possible evidence captured between the hours of 12:30 and 3 p.m.,” local broadcaster WCPO Cincinnati reported.

Investigators described the suspect as a heavily built Black man who was allegedly wearing grey sweatpants, a black sweatshirt and possibly a long black wig before fleeing towards a creek behind the business premises.

The Oluwabukola Pereira killing has generated grief within Nigeria’s athletics community and among her colleagues in the United States.

Pereira specialised in the 800 metres and 1500 metres events and represented Nigeria in domestic and international competitions over more than a decade.

Her personal bests included 2:12.68 in the 800 metres and 4:39.57 in the 1500 metres, both achieved in Warrensburg, Missouri, in 2019.

Her athletics career also featured appearances at the 2012 AFN Golden League in Port Harcourt and several collegiate competitions across the United States, including meets in Joplin, Springfield, Kearney and the 2024 Portland Track Festival.

Speaking on Tuesday, her grassroots coach, Rauf Abass, described the incident as devastating.

“It was very painful news for all of us when we heard what happened,” Abass said.

He explained that Pereira had been scheduled to graduate with an MBA on May 16, just one week after her death.

“Myself alongside her long-time benefactor Mrs Esther were the ones who went to break the news to the family in Nigeria,” he added.

Abass disclosed that he later coordinated visits involving members of the athletics community and Pereira’s former teammates to console her family.

“She was also a breadwinner for the family, so it is extremely painful for them. I had even spoken with her the night before the incident occurred,” he said.

A co-worker at the auto centre, Don Simpson, told WCPO Cincinnati that Pereira was highly respected by colleagues and allegedly confronted the suspect during the robbery attempt before she was shot.

“They called me and told me she didn’t make it,” Simpson said.

“I see her every day. Like I said, she does the cash. When people come in with cash, she pays for the cars.”

Her fiancé, Gbenga Showole, said Pereira was deeply devoted to her faith and helping others.

According to him, plans are now underway to establish a foundation in her memory.

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“Anybody you talk to who’s met her will tell you how much her faith was important to her and how much caring for other people was really important to her,” Showole told Fox19 Now Cincinnati.