American Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Nigerian Boxer Isaiah Olugbemi
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that a U.S. court has sentenced 37-year-old Nicholas Giroux to life imprisonment plus 20 years for the brutal murder of Nigerian-American boxer, Isaiah Olugbemi, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
According to a press release from the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, Giroux was sentenced on Friday afternoon by Judge Richard Trunnell of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a crime of violence. The terms are to run consecutively in the Division of Corrections.
OTN News further reports as gathered that Olugbemi, 27, a promising amateur boxer and father, was shot multiple times by Giroux on June 17, 2024, in the 500 block of Meadowmist Way, Odenton.
The statement further explained that Police officers who arrived at the scene discovered him with several gunshot wounds before he was rushed to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed his death as homicide by gunfire.
Surveillance footage from the area revealed the chilling moment Giroux approached Olugbemi, fired repeatedly until he collapsed, and then discharged three more rounds before fleeing. Investigators recovered multiple 9mm cartridge casings at the scene.
Authorities further disclosed that Giroux had a history of confrontations with Olugbemi. Just two weeks before the murder, he allegedly confronted the boxer and a neighbour during a cookout, brandishing a handgun though not pointing it.
Following the murder, Giroux confessed during police questioning and directed investigators to the location of the firearm used in the killing.
The State’s Attorney, Anne Colt Leitess, condemned the act, describing it as both “cruel and senseless.” She emphasized that Olugbemi’s death robbed his family, friends, and the boxing community of a young man with immense potential.
“Mr. Olugbemi was a father and a rising star in amateur boxing. The callousness and lack of remorse on the part of this Defendant is really disturbing. He deserves this sentence. And to the family and friends of Mr. Olugbemi, I hope that today provides some sense of justice for this terrible ordeal.
“The callousness and lack of remorse on the part of this Defendant is really disturbing. He deserves this sentence. And to the family and friends of Mr. Olugbemi, I hope that today provides some sense of justice.” Leitess said.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Carolynn Grammas, while homicide detectives with the Anne Arundel County Police Department led the investigation.
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