Nigerian athlete shot dead in US — days to her MBA graduation
A Nigerian athlete, Oluwabukola Pereira, has been killed in a suspected robbery incident at a car service centre in Lockland.
Pereira, 30, was working as a cashier at the facility when the incident occurred on May 8. According to reports from a colleague, the attacker fled with about $1,500 after shooting the athlete.
Don Simpson, a co-worker, said Pereira attempted to pursue the suspect before 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,” Simpson said.
Local authorities are still investigating the case and have not officially disclosed the motive behind the shooting.
Originally from Lagos, Pereira competed in several national athletics championships in Nigeria before relocating to the United States.
James Lafferty, a former CEO of Coca-Cola West Africa, reportedly discovered her athletic talent while working in Lagos and later sponsored her move to the US. Lafferty said Pereira arrived in America with only $10 and a scholarship opportunity.
Beyond athletics, Pereira pursued an academic career in the US. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University and later obtained a master’s degree in communication from University of Texas at El Paso.
At the time of her death, she was an MBA student at Xavier University and was expected to graduate just days later.
