Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, has been arrested and charged following a series of shootings in DeKalb County, Georgia, that resulted in the deaths of two women and the injury of a man. The incidents occurred early Monday morning and are being treated as separate attacks connected by the use of the same vehicle.
Authorities report that the first shooting happened just after 12:50 a.m. outside a Checkers restaurant in unincorporated DeKalb County, where a woman was shot multiple times. Shortly before 2 a.m., police in Brookhaven responded to a report of a shooting and found a 49-year-old man lying on a sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley described this shooting as a “completely random attack.” The victim, an unhoused person, was asleep when the gunfire struck.
The final shooting was reported at 6:50 a.m. back in DeKalb County. There, another adult woman was discovered fatally shot on a sidewalk. The victim was identified as Lauren Bullis, an employee of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. Federal officials explained that Bullis was killed while walking her dog and had suffered both gunshot and stabbing wounds.
In a statement, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin expressed sorrow over the killings, calling the acts “pure evil” and extending condolences to the victims’ families.
Investigators established a link between the three shooting locations through a silver Volkswagen Jetta, seen leaving the first crime scene. Law enforcement used tracking technology to follow the vehicle to Troup County, Georgia, where they stopped it and took Abel into custody.
Federal officials noted that Abel is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in the United Kingdom and has a previous criminal history including convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, assault with a deadly weapon, and vandalism.
Following his arrest, Abel’s attorney, Jamie Schickler, submitted a motion requesting bond, arguing that her client is not a flight risk nor a danger to the community. The bond hearing is scheduled for April 27.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities continue to gather information about the circumstances surrounding the shootings.
