Murphy Tilk, a 21-year-old Papa Johns employee from Ohio, faces murder and reckless homicide charges following the fatal shooting of his coworker, 23-year-old Nawaf Althawadi, inside a Cincinnati restaurant on December 9, 2025. The incident occurred at the West Price Hill location on West Eighth Street shortly before 11 p.m. Prosecutors said both men had firearms inside the restaurant before witnesses heard two gunshots. One bullet struck Althawadi in the eye, killing him at the scene. The case attracted additional attention after Tilk's defense attorneys revealed that the two men had been childhood friends and described the shooting as a tragic accident. Tilk was subsequently indicted on a murder charge and faced an additional reckless homicide charge.
What Happened in the Fatal Papa Johns Shooting?
The shooting occurred on December 9, 2025, at a Papa Johns restaurant in the West Price Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio.
According to the Cincinnati Police Department, officers responded to the restaurant in the 4500 block of West Eighth Street at approximately 11 p.m. after receiving a report of a shooting.
Emergency responders found Nawaf Althawadi suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified Murphy Tilk, 21, as the suspect and arrested him on a murder charge.
Authorities initially released limited information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Further details emerged during subsequent court proceedings, when prosecutors described what witnesses and investigators had established about the incident.
Who Was Nawaf Althawadi?
Nawaf Althawadi was a 23-year-old Cincinnati resident who worked at the Papa Johns restaurant where the shooting occurred.
He was also a student at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, where he was pursuing studies related to aviation maintenance. He previously attended Walnut Hills High School.
Althawadi's death shocked people who knew him, particularly because the shooting involved a fellow employee with whom he reportedly shared a long-standing friendship.
A manager from a neighboring business described him as a cheerful and friendly person who regularly interacted with people in the area.
Papa Johns also released a statement expressing condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers, while confirming that the local restaurant team was assisting authorities with the investigation.
Murphy Tilk and Nawaf Althawadi Were Childhood Friends
One of the most striking details to emerge during the case was the relationship between Tilk and Althawadi.
According to Tilk's defense attorneys, the two men had been best friends since childhood. They attended Walnut Hills High School, studied at Cincinnati State, and eventually worked together at the same Papa Johns restaurant.
Their shared background became a central part of the defense's argument during Tilk's December 16, 2025, court appearance.
Attorney Darceny Winston described the shooting as a tragic accident, arguing that Tilk would never have intentionally harmed someone with whom he had such a close personal relationship.
However, this characterization represents the defense's position and does not establish what actually happened inside the restaurant.
What Prosecutors Revealed About the Shooting
During court proceedings, prosecutors provided additional details about the moments before Althawadi's death.
They said both men were inside a back area of the restaurant and each had a firearm. Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots within approximately two seconds.
According to the prosecution, one bullet struck Althawadi in the eye, while another hit the ceiling. Investigators recovered both firearms, and Althawadi's weapon was found unloaded.
Prosecutors also said shell casings recovered at the scene matched Tilk's firearm. They noted that Tilk routinely carried a pistol for protection while working as a pizza delivery driver.
No video footage of the actual shooting was available, making witness accounts and physical evidence important elements of the case.
The prosecution's account and the defense's description of an accidental shooting differ in their interpretation of the incident. The available reporting does not establish the precise sequence of events that caused the fatal discharge.
Why Was Murphy Tilk Charged With Murder and Reckless Homicide?
Following the shooting, Tilk was initially charged with murder. The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office subsequently added a reckless homicide charge on December 12, 2025.
The charges involve different legal questions about the circumstances and mental state associated with the fatal shooting.
Murder generally involves knowingly or purposely causing another person's death, depending on the applicable statutory provision. Reckless homicide concerns causing death through conduct that demonstrates a disregard for a substantial and unjustifiable risk.
The additional charge reflected an alternative legal theory concerning how Althawadi was killed. It did not establish that the shooting was accidental or that Tilk was guilty.
December 2025 Court Appearance and $250,000 Bond
Tilk appeared in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on December 16, 2025, following his indictment on a murder charge.
His attorneys submitted 24 letters of support from relatives, friends, teachers, and coaches. They also emphasized his relationship with Althawadi and argued that he had no previous criminal record.
The defense requested a substantially lower bond, but Chief Magistrate Anita Berding set it at $250,000 with electronic monitoring if released.
The magistrate described the case as particularly troubling, noting that two people had entered the room but only one had walked out alive.
The bond decision concerned the conditions of pretrial release, not a determination of guilt.
Conclusion
The fatal shooting at a Papa Johns restaurant in Cincinnati claimed the life of 23-year-old Nawaf Althawadi on December 9, 2025. Murphy Tilk, his 21-year-old coworker and childhood friend, was arrested and faced murder and reckless homicide charges.
Prosecutors said both men were armed before two shots were fired inside the restaurant. One bullet struck Althawadi in the eye, while the defense maintained that the shooting was an accident.
The case is particularly disturbing because of the longstanding friendship between the two young men. However, their personal relationship does not resolve the central legal question of how the shooting occurred and whether Tilk acted intentionally or recklessly.