A British man has been charged over a brutal killing spree that left two women dead and a man fighting for his life.
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, faces two counts of murder along with aggravated assault and firearms offences after the alleged killings on Monday, April 13.
One of the victims of the attack, Lauren Bullis, 40, was identified as a Department of Homeland Security employee.
She had taken her dog out for a stroll around 7am on Monday morning.
Police say she was shot and stabbed during the fatal incident. The first alleged attack at around 1am outside a Checkers restaurant on Wesley Chapel Road in DeKalb County, a suburb outside Atlanta.
A woman, identified as 31-year-old Prianna Weathers, was shot during the incident – she died in hospital.
Roughly an hour later, the suspect allegedly drove around 16 miles to Brookhaven, another Atlanta suburb.
There, a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a Kroger grocery store – a large US supermarket chain.
He remains in critical condition. Police believe he was targeted at random.
“It is apparent to us that it was a completely random attack on a member of our unhoused community,” Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley said.
The final attack took place several hours later in Panthersville, where Bullis was found with gunshot and stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later confirmed all three attacks were connected.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement: “These acts of pure evil have devastated our department and my prayers are with the families of the victim.”
Mr Mullin’s statement reads: “On Monday, a DHS employee, Lauren Bullis, was brutally shot and stabbed to death by Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old, born in the United Kingdom, who was naturalized by the Biden Administration in 2022. Since President Trump took office, @USCIS has implemented measures to ensure individuals with criminal histories and who otherwise lack good moral character do not attain citizenship.
Mr Mullun added: “He [Olaolukitan] stands accused of murdering @DHSgov employee Lauren Bullis by shooting and stabbing her while she walked her dog. He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers, before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger in Brookhaven.
“These acts of pure evil have devastated our Department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.”
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that Lauren Bullis, a beloved member of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General team, has tragically passed away.
“She was a respected colleague whose contributions and presence will be greatly missed.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, as well as to the families, friends, and communities of the additional victims.”
Brookhaven Police Department said in a statement: “This afternoon, Adon Abel was taken into custody without incident by the Georgia Department of Public Safety in Troup County following coordination with Brookhaven detectives.
“Further investigation has revealed that Adon Abel is also responsible for other shootings that occurred earlier in unincorporated DeKalb County.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation. The Brookhaven Police Department is working closely with the DeKalb County Police Department and state partners to ensure all aspects of these incidents are thoroughly investigated.
“Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Brookhaven Police Department at 404-637-0600 or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or www.crimestoppersatlanta.org. Callers may remain anonymous.”