Oluwabukola Pereira, a Nigerian middle-distance athlete and graduate student, was shot during an alleged robbery in Lockland, Ohio, just days before she was scheduled to finish her MBA. American police are still investigating the incident.
On May 8, Oluwabukola Pereira, 30, was slain while working as a cashier at the Arise Auto Center in the 500 block of North Wayne Avenue.
The incident triggered a brief shelter-in-place order, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, as police secured the area and advised locals to stay off of surrounding streets. She was shot and died at the spot, according to the coroner.
Residents and businesses in Lockland and nearby Lincoln Heights have been asked to provide surveillance footage to detectives.
According to WCPO Cincinnati, “Detectives are asking residents and business owners in 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.”
The suspect, according to investigators, was a heavy-built Black male who fled towards a creek behind the company while wearing grey sweatpants, a black top or hoodie, and possibly a long black wig.
Pereira developed a career in both domestic and international tournaments as a middle-distance athlete for Nigeria. In May 2019, she posted a personal best time of 2:12.68 in the 800 meters and 4:39.57 in the 1500 meters in Warrensburg, Missouri.
From the 2012 AFN Golden League in Port Harcourt to collegiate competitions in the US and the 2024 Portland Track Festival, her career covered more than ten years.
Rauf Abass, her grassroots coach, told The Punch that she was scheduled to graduate on May 16.
“When we heard what happened, it was very painful news for all of us,” Abass remarked.
“I went to break the news to the family in Nigeria with her longtime benefactor, Mrs. Esther.”
On Saturday night, we went to the family’s home to let them know. The family now knows. The mother and father have both been notified.
The athletic community later paid the family a visit to express their sorrow, according to Abass.
“I made every effort to arrange for her running partners. He said, “I brought them together to make sure everyone was informed and visited to offer condolences, even though some are no longer competing.”
“This is a really depressing circumstance. I hope I never have to deliver such news any more.
It is quite traumatic for them because she was also the family’s primary provider. Even the night before the incident, I had a conversation with her.
During the heist, Pereira tried to confront the suspect, according to Don Simpson, a coworker.
Simpson remarked, “They called and told me she didn’t make it.”
“Every day, I see her. She handles the money, as I mentioned. She covers the cost of the autos when customers pay with cash. Since it was daylight, I initially believed that the load I was delivering wasn’t real.
Gbenga Showole, her fiancé, stated that preparations were in motion to create a foundation in her honor.
He told Fox19 Now Cincinnati, “Anyone 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.”
