In brief
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old U.K. immigrant and former U.S. Navy member, faces charges for a wave of shootings in Atlanta's suburbs that resulted in two fatalities, including a Department of Homeland Security employee, and left a man critically injured. This incident, which occurred early Monday morning, has reignited discussions surrounding U.S. citizenship laws, particularly related to individuals with prior violent offenses. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin condemned the attacks as 'acts of pure evil' and noted Abel had been granted U.S. citizenship in 2022 under the Biden administration. Law enforcement continues to investigate the broader implications of Abel's criminal history and citizenship status as the community mourns the victims.
ATLANTA (AP) — A man who served in the U.S. Navy after immigrating from Britain has been charged in a string of deadly attacks in the Atlanta suburbs that quickly drew the attention of President Donald Trump’s administration.
U.K.-native Olaolukitan Adon Abel, whose name appears in different variations in court and government records, is accused of killing two women, including a Department of Homeland Security employee, and critically injuring a man.
Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the shootings “acts of pure evil” and raised concern that Adon Abel, 26, was granted U.S. citizenship in 2022, when Democrat Joe Biden was president.
Three early morning attacks, miles apart
The attacks rattled the Atlanta suburbs of Decatur, Brookhaven, and Panthersville in the early morning hours Monday. The first victim, 31-year-old Prianna Weathers, was found with gunshot wounds near a Decatur-area restaurant around 1 a.m. She was taken to a hospital but died, DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick said.
Then, around 2 a.m., a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a grocery store in Brookhaven, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) northwest of the first attack. The man, whose name hasn’t been released, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
DHS worker Lauren Bullis, who was out walking her dog more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) away in Panthersville, was found around 7 a.m. with gunshot and stab wounds. She died at the scene, Padrick said.
Investigators in Brookhaven determined that the three attacks were connected.
Authorities have said they believe at least one victim was targeted at random.
DHS employee remembered for her generosity
Bullis, 40, served in multiple roles at DHS Office of Inspector General, including as an auditor and an innovation team leader. Her family said in a statement that she loved running, reading, and traveling, and “her warmth and generosity touched everyone surrounding her.”
Suspect pleaded guilty in California assault
Military records show the defendant enlisted in the Navy in 2020, last serving in the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron in Coronado, California, and received a Navy “E” Ribbon for superior performance. Adon Abel pleaded guilty in October 2024 to assaulting two police officers with a deadly weapon and attacking another person when he was stationed in Coronado.
Mullin mentioned that Adon Abel has a criminal record that includes a sexual battery conviction. It’s unclear if his criminal record predated his U.S. citizenship in 2022, as the U.S. typically bars individuals with violent crime convictions from gaining citizenship.
