Boxer killed in Anne Arundel County shooting aspired to turn professional
BALTIMORE -- Isaiah Oludayo Olugbemi, a well-known boxer in the region who was shot and killed Monday night, dreamed of competing professionally.
He considered making that major jump by the end of the year, according to the owner of the Anne Arundel County gym where Olugbemi primarily trained.
Olugbemi, 27, was found shot multiple times in the area of Meadowmist Way and Stehlik Drive in Odenton. He was rushed to Shock Trauma in Baltimore where he died.
"On the amateur level, to take a fighter from knowing nothing from day one when he walked in the gym to three years later, having him win the national Golden Gloves Championship, his coach is devastated," gym owner Christen Jeter said.
Nicholas Francis Xavier Giroux, 36, has been charged with first-and-second-degree murder in Olugbemi's death.
Investigators believe the shooting was targeted, and not random.
Detectives obtained video surveillance footage that showed a white male, later identified as Giroux, walking directly up to Olugbemi with a handgun before shooting him multiple times, and fleeing the scene on foot, according to documents obtained by WJZ.
Police said they interviewed Giroux on June 18 and he confessed to the murder.
Abraham Olugbemi, the victim's brother, said Giroux was Isaiah Olugbemi's neighbor. He alleges Giroux threatened Isaiah Olugbemi at least two other times with a gun this year; once in January and a second time in June.
In the most recent incident, the family member said Giroux cocked a gun in a confrontation with Olugbemi but when police came to investigate, no arrests were made.
Maryland court records show Giroux was not charged in connection with the alleged incidents described by a relative.
WJZ requested information from police about records of the previous disputes but has not received a response as of Tuesday evening.
Jeter remembers Olugbemi as a dedicated amateur boxer whose legacy will live on through those who looked up to him.
"We have a youth boxing program here and they all idealized him because he was what they called the champ. So, I think his legacy will be carried out through the younger boxers," Jeter said.
Police ask anyone with private surveillance or recording doorbell cameras to share any video with detectives.
Anyone with information can contact police at 410-222-4731. To remain anonymous, call the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410-222-4700 or contact Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP or online at MetroCrimeStoppers.Org.