Authorities in the United States have launched an investigation into the death of Nigerian middle-distance runner and graduate student, Oluwabukola Pereira, who was reportedly shot during a robbery incident in Lockland, Ohio, only days before she was expected to earn her MBA degree.
Pereira, 30, was fatally shot on May 8 at Arise Auto Centre located along the 500 block of North Wayne Avenue, where she worked as a cashier.
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the incident led to a temporary shelter-in-place directive as security operatives secured the environment and advised residents to stay away from surrounding roads. The coroner later confirmed that she died from gunshot wounds at the scene.
Investigators have appealed to residents and business owners in Lockland and neighbouring Lincoln Heights to provide surveillance footage that could assist the investigation.
Reports by WCPO Cincinnati stated that detectives requested any available video recordings, including Ring camera footage, captured between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the day of the incident.
Police described the suspect as a heavily built Black male, allegedly dressed in grey sweatpants and a black sweatshirt or top, possibly wearing a long black wig. The suspect reportedly escaped through a creek behind the business premises.
Pereira represented Nigeria in middle-distance events and competed in both local and international competitions. She recorded personal bests of 2:12.68 in the 800 metres and 4:39.57 in the 1500 metres during competitions held in Warrensburg, Missouri, in May 2019.
Her athletics career stretched from the 2012 AFN Golden League in Port Harcourt to several collegiate competitions in the United States, including participation in the 2024 Portland Track Festival.
Speaking with The Punch, her grassroots coach, Rauf Abass, revealed that Pereira had been preparing to graduate on May 16 before the tragic incident occurred.
Abass described the news as heartbreaking and disclosed that he, alongside her longtime supporter, Mrs Esther, informed her family in Nigeria about the tragedy.
He added that members of the athletics community later visited the family to sympathise with them over the painful loss.
According to him, Pereira was a major source of support for her family, making the tragedy even more devastating. He also disclosed that he had spoken with her just hours before the incident happened.
A colleague, Don Simpson, said Pereira appeared to have confronted the suspect during the robbery.
Simpson explained that he initially found it difficult to believe the news because the incident happened in broad daylight.
Meanwhile, her fiancé, Gbenga Showole, disclosed that plans are already underway to establish a foundation in her honour.
He described Pereira as a deeply faithful and caring individual whose passion for helping others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.