Oluwabukola Pereira, a 30-year-old Nigerian middle-distance runner and MBA student, was shot and killed during a suspected robbery at a car service centre in Ohio, just days before her scheduled graduation from Xavier University.
Oluwabukola Pereira, a Nigerian athlete working as a cashier at a car service centre in Lockland, Ohio, was shot dead on May 8 during a suspected robbery in which the assailant fled with $1,500.
The 30-year-old middle-distance runner, who was days away from completing her MBA at Xavier University, was shot twice after apparently pursuing the robber outside the premises.
“So the guy came in and robbed her, and when he ran, she ran behind him. And when they got to the back, he shot her,” co-worker Don Simpson said.
Born in Lagos, Pereira competed in national championships before relocating to the United States with only $10 and a scholarship, sponsored by James Lafferty, a former Coca-Cola West Africa CEO who discovered her talent while based in Nigeria. Local authorities continue to investigate and are yet to officially confirm a motive.
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