Papa Johns Employee Shot and Killed by Coworker

A young man accused of fatally shooting his coworker at a Papa Johns stood before a judge Tuesday, as his defense team described the incident as a “tragic accident.”

Murphy Tilk, 21, appeared in court after being indicted on a murder charge stemming from the Dec. 9 shooting at the pizza restaurant. Emergency dispatchers were the first to alert police, reporting a shooting at the Papa Johns on West 8th Street.

“Got a shooting at 4505 West 8th Street in the Papa Johns,” a dispatcher said over the radio. Moments later, additional details came in, including that the victim had been shot in the face and the suspect had walked to the back of the building.

Cincinnati police quickly arrived and secured the scene. Early radio traffic suggested the shooting involved two coworkers.

The victim was later identified as 23-year-old Nawaf Althawadi, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

In court, Tilk’s attorneys said the two men were best friends who had attended school together for most of their lives and were now coworkers while studying at Cincinnati State. The defense maintained that the shooting was accidental, though they did not elaborate on how it happened.

Attorneys also told the judge they submitted 24 letters of support from Tilk’s family and friends. They emphasized that Tilk had no prior criminal record and did not attempt to flee after the shooting or when police arrived.

Prosecutors painted a different picture of the moments leading up to the shooting. They said witnesses reported hearing two gunshots in rapid succession while the men were in the backroom of the restaurant. One of those shots struck Althawadi in the eye, killing him. Prosecutors said Tilk did not speak to police but allegedly told his father the shooting was an accident. There is no video footage of the incident.

Both men were armed at the time, according to prosecutors, while the defense said they carried firearms for safety while making pizza deliveries. Investigators recovered both guns at the scene, along with shell casings that reportedly matched Tilk’s firearm. A second bullet hole was also found in the ceiling.

The defense continued to stress that Tilk never intended to harm his friend. “Everyone knows Murphy and Nawaf had a very special relationship and a very special friendship,” one attorney told the court.

Tilk’s lawyers also noted that he was studying at Cincinnati State with plans to become an oncologist and has strong support from his family and loved ones. They requested a $50,000 bond at 10 percent.

Judge Anita Berding said she reviewed all of the letters of support and described the case as “incredibly troubling and difficult.” After considering the arguments, she set bond at $250,000 at 10 percent, noting it was the lowest she has ever issued for a charge of this nature.

If Tilk posts bond, he will be placed on electronic monitoring lockdown, with exceptions only for medical or attorney appointments.