Tragedy strikes elite athlete; family offers reward

The life of Oluwabukola Pereira-Showole, a former elite Nigerian track athlete and devoted wife and stepmother, was tragically cut short on May 8 when she was fatally shot in Lockland. Witnesses reported that she was attempting to apprehend a man who had just robbed the auto business where she served as manager. As of June 5, 2026, no arrests have been made in connection with her death.

Her grieving husband, Gbenga Showole, has announced a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to the suspect's arrest and indictment. Bukola, who had a distinguished running career representing Nigeria and competing collegiately in the U.S., was also nearing the completion of her second master's degree from Xavier University, with graduation scheduled for May 16. Her unwavering faith and joyful spirit were constants in her life and the lives of those around her.

Her family in Nigeria remembers her as "the hope of the family." The Showole and Pereira-Showole families are urgently appealing to the public for assistance, urging anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward. A celebration of Bukola's life was scheduled to be held at Vineyard Cincinnati Church in Springdale on Friday, June 12, with her husband planning to return her to Nigeria afterward for her family to pay their respects.