A British immigrant with a history of criminal charges faces murder accusations following a violent rampage that claimed two lives across multiple Atlanta-area communities early Monday morning.
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, who obtained American citizenship in 2022, stands accused of fatally shooting two women and leaving a homeless man fighting for his life in what authorities describe as connected attacks spanning three suburban locations.
The violence unfolded over several hours beginning around 1 a.m. in Decatur, where an unidentified woman was discovered with gunshot injuries near a local restaurant. Despite being rushed to medical care, she succumbed to her wounds, according to DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick.
Approximately 12 miles away in Brookhaven, a 49-year-old homeless individual sleeping outside a grocery store became the second target, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley confirmed the man remains hospitalized in critical condition, with his identity withheld pending family notification.
The final and most distant attack occurred in Panthersville, more than 10 miles from the initial incident. Lauren Bullis, a 49-year-old Department of Homeland Security employee, was discovered around 7 a.m. with both gunshot and stab wounds while walking her dog. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin condemned the violence as “acts of pure evil” while questioning how Abel received citizenship during the Biden administration despite his criminal background.
Bullis dedicated her career to the DHS Office of Inspector General, working as both an auditor and innovation team leader. The department honored her memory on social media, noting she “brought a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day.”
“Her warmth and generosity touched everyone surrounding her,” Bullis’s family shared in a statement, describing her passion for running, reading and travel.
Denver-based DHS auditor Ashley Toillion remembered her colleague as “the nicest, sweetest, most encouraging person I’ve ever met.”
Military documentation reveals Abel joined the Navy in 2020, completing service with the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron in Coronado, California. As a petty officer, he earned a Navy “E” Ribbon recognizing exceptional battle readiness performance.
However, Abel’s service record includes troubling incidents. California court documents show he admitted guilt in October 2024 to attacking two police officers with a deadly weapon and assaulting another individual while stationed in Coronado.
Current charges against Abel include malice murder, aggravated assault and firearms violations. He declined to appear at Tuesday’s initial court hearing, with his assigned public defender not responding to requests for comment.
Secretary Mullin revealed Abel’s criminal history extends beyond the military incidents, including a sexual battery conviction. Georgia court records indicate someone matching Abel’s name and birth date pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor sexual battery counts in Chatham County last June.
Questions remain about whether Abel’s criminal record predated his 2022 citizenship approval, as federal law typically prohibits individuals with violent crime convictions from obtaining naturalization.
Investigators believe at least one victim was selected randomly, though they continue examining potential motives behind the coordinated attacks across the three communities.
