By Amaechi Agbo

A Nigerian athlete, Oluwabukola Pereira, , has been shot dead during a suspected robbery at a car service centre in Lockland, Ohio.

The 30-year-old middle-distance runner was a cashier at the car service centre where she was killed by the assailant, who, according to a co-worker, made away with $1,500.

Pereira was a Master of Business Administration (MBA) student at Xavier University and was scheduled to graduate a few days before her murder.

The shooting happened on May 8; however, the local authorities continue to investigate the incident and are yet to officially confirm a motive for the shooting.

Don Simpson, a co-worker, said Pereira had attempted to chase the robber when she was shot twice.

“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,” the co-worker said.

Pereira was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where she competed in a handful of national championships before moving to the US.

According to James Lafferty, the man who discovered and sponsored her immigration to the US, Periera arrived in the country with only $10 and a scholarship.

Lafferty was a former chief executive officer (CEO) of Coca-Cola West Africa, and he discovered Pereira’s talent while he was based in Lagos.

Pereira had a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University, followed by a master’s in communication from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Xavier University on Saturday paid tribute to the departed student Bukola

“As we honor all of our graduate degree recipients, one graduate will be deeply missed,” a speaker said at the ceremony. “This past week, our MBA program lost a member of its graduating class, Bukola Pereira.”

A day meant for celebration at Xavier University’s graduate commencement ceremony also became a day of remembrance.

Students and faculty wore pins reading, “Crossing the finish line for Bukola,” a tribute to her love of running and to the goal she worked so hard to reach.

Pereira’s husband and stepchildren walked across the stage today, receiving her diploma on her behalf.

“It really should have been Bukola getting it herself, so it was bittersweet,” said Gbenga Showole, her husband. “She worked many, many long hours into the night doing all the coursework so this really should have been her honor.”

As police continue searching for the person who killed her, her family is trying to hold on to Bukola’s memory while also pushing for answers.

“It’s time to pivot to one, finding the person who did this, so we ask for help from the community to find the person and then two, and even more importantly, honor her legacy with the work of the foundation,” Gbenga Showole said.

Detectives are asking residents and businesses in Lockland and Lincoln Heights to review surveillance video, including Ring camera footage, for possible evidence related to their investigation.

The video they are looking for should have been recorded on May 8 between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Her husband said they are now working on a foundation in her honor.