Murphy Tilk: Fatal Papa Johns Shooting Leaves 23-Year-Old Nawaf Althawadi Dead
A deadly shooting at a Cincinnati Papa Johns left 23-year-old Nawaf Althawadi dead. Employee Murphy Tilk, 21, is charged with murder and held without bond.
A tragic late-night shooting inside a Papa Johns restaurant in Cincinnati's West Price Hill neighborhood has resulted in the death of 23-year-old Nawaf Althawadi and the arrest of 21-year-old employee Murphy Tilk, who is now charged with murder and held without bond.
The incident occurred just before 11 p.m. on December 10, 2025, at the take-out location on West 8th Street. Police arriving on scene found Althawadi suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead inside the restaurant.
Authorities have not released a motive, leaving the community searching for answers about what triggered the fatal confrontation.
Suspect Details: Murphy Tilk Arrested, Held Without Bond
Murphy Tilk, from Cleves, Ohio, was arrested at the scene without resistance. Court records show he was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center around 3 a.m. on December 11.
During Thursday’s arraignment, prosecutors requested he be held without bond—a motion approved by Judge Samantha Silverstein. A bond reconsideration hearing is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m., though a grand jury indictment could advance the case directly to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
Multiple outlets confirm Tilk was an employee of the Papa Johns location. Whether the victim, Althawadi, also worked there remains unclear; some early reports describe him as an employee, while officials have not confirmed any employment connection.
Investigation Continues Into Motive and Workplace Connection
Cincinnati homicide detectives are actively reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing surveillance footage. Officials have not disclosed whether Tilk and Althawadi knew each other prior to the incident or whether any workplace dispute may have occurred.
Papa Johns released a statement expressing condolences and reaffirming its commitment to employee and customer safety.
The West Price Hill community remains shaken, with many residents calling for improved security at late-night food service establishments.
Timeline of Key Events
| Time / Date | Event Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ~10:50 p.m., Dec 10 | Shooting occurs inside Papa Johns; Althawadi is struck by gunfire. | Consistent across local reports. |
| ~11:00 p.m. | Police arrive; victim pronounced dead at scene. | First responders attempted lifesaving measures. |
| Shortly after | Murphy Tilk arrested without incident. | Confirmed by CBS, FOX19. |
| 3:00 a.m., Dec 11 | Tilk booked into Hamilton County Justice Center. | Jail records confirm. |
| Morning, Dec 11 | Arraignment; no-bond order issued by Judge Silverstein. | Prosecutors cite severity of charge. |
| 9:00 a.m., Dec 14 | Scheduled bond review hearing. | May be bypassed if grand jury indicts earlier. |
| Ongoing | Investigation continues; motive undisclosed. | Police withholding details during probe. |
Community Impact and Next Steps
As investigators work to uncover the motive behind the shooting, community members are expressing grief and concern over rising violence in public workplaces. Support for Althawadi's family has begun circulating online, though no official vigils or fundraisers have been announced.
The case is expected to move quickly once a grand jury reviews the evidence. Tilk remains jailed as detectives continue gathering additional details.
This developing story will be updated as new information becomes available, including potential indictment details, motive updates, and upcoming court proceedings.