*Struggled to break free from scuffle, called upon passers-by at car park for help, killed during a suspected robbery incident at her workplace-Arise Auto Center
*Decease was the first of four children in the family, earlier engaged and was preparing for wedding later in year
“I witnessed the scene. Bukky Pereira was shot after attempting to pursue a suspect who allegedly fled with about $1,500. She was loyal, good and brave. She came to this country as an immigrant trying to build a good life. So painful we lost her to our America gun violence”– Don Simpson, worker at the auto shop
*“Bukola Pereira is a woman remembered for her positivity, deep faith and generous spirit. Friends describe her as kind, honest, intelligent and beautiful-inside and out. She had secured admission to begin another postgraduate programme in Business Analytics later this year”-Xavier University President Colleen Hanycz
*“We have launched an investigation into the incident. The suspect (her alleged assailant) is believed to be a man between the ages of 25 and 35, described as Black or Hispanic, with long hair styled in braids or dreadlocks. He was last seen running toward the Gardner Park area”– Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
*BY EMMA CLEVELAND SCOTT, CRIME Correspondent, Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA, Washington DC
HER dream was cut short. She was earlier engaged last year, ready for marriage later this year to her Nigerian man on Nigerian soil, and was about to have her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Xavier University, a private Jesuit university in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, unfortunately this bread winner of her family, a famous Nigerian athlete, Oluwabukola Pereira was cut down in her prime when she pursued an armed robber who stormed her workplace, Auto Shop, and allegedly stole the sum of $1,500 from the cashier registry. Pereira engaged the ‘thief’ in a tussle, unknowing to her that the man was armed. As she struggled to free herself from the hold of the man, she called upon passers-by at the car park for help, and no one seemed to come for her rescue, until the thief shot at her on the chest to escape lynching by the crowd of witnesses gathering already. She died on the spot.
The Nigerian sporting community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Nigerian athlete, Oluwabukola who got killed just days before her glorious post graduate degree.
Pereira was reportedly killed on Friday, May 8, during a suspected robbery at Arise Auto Center, where she worked.
According to local reports, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident, although authorities have yet to officially confirm the motive behind the shooting.
A worker at the auto shop, Don Simpson, told local television station Marcella Porter TV that Pereira was shot after attempting to pursue a suspect who allegedly fled with about $1,500.
“She was loyal, good and brave,” Mr. Simpson said. “She came to this country as an immigrant trying to build a good life. So sad we lost her to our America gun violence”
Originally from Nigeria, Pereira was expected to graduate from Xavier University on May 16 with an MBA degree.
The university also disclosed that she had secured admission to begin another postgraduate programme in Business Analytics later this year.
In a statement, Xavier University President Colleen Hanycz described Pereira as a woman remembered for her “positivity, deep faith and generous spirit.”
“Friends describe her as kind, honest, intelligent and beautiful-inside and out,” the statement read.
Beyond her academic achievements, Pereira was actively involved in athletics and was a member of Cincinnati’s Elite running group, where she participated in several races, including the Flying Pig Marathon.
Her family described her as “a bright and shining star” who devoted her life to worship, prayer and helping others.
It was also gathered that Pereira, the first of four children, was preparing for her wedding later this year after getting engaged in 2025.
The sheriff’s office said the suspect is believed to be a man between the ages of 25 and 35, described as Black or Hispanic, with long hair styled in braids or dreadlocks. He was last seen running toward the Gardner Park area.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public with useful information to contact Crime Stoppers as investigations continue.
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