A Nigerian athlete, Oluwabukola Pereira, has been killed in a shooting during a suspected robbery at a car service centre in Lockland, Ohio, United States.
Pereira, 30, worked as a cashier at the facility and was reportedly attacked while on duty.
According to a colleague, the suspect fled with about $1,500 after the incident.
The former middle-distance runner was pursuing an MBA at Xavier University and was expected to graduate just days after her death.
The shooting occurred on May 8, though authorities are still investigating and have yet to officially determine the motive.
A co-worker, Don Simpson, said Pereira tried to pursue the suspect before she was shot.
“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,” he said.
Born in Lagos, Pereira competed in national athletics events in Nigeria before relocating to the United States.
According to James Lafferty, who supported her move to the US, Pereira arrived with only $10 and a scholarship after he discovered her athletic talent while working in Lagos.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University and later obtained a master’s degree in communication from the University of Texas at El Paso.