In brief
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a U.K. native and U.S. citizen since 2022, has been charged with two counts of murder following a series of random attacks in Atlanta that killed two women, including a DHS employee, and left a man in critical condition. Authorities are investigating the connections between the incidents as the community grapples with the tragedy.
ATLANTA (AP) — An Atlanta man has been charged in a series of violent attacks that have shaken the community, resulting in the deaths of two women and leaving a man critically injured. The incidents have drawn further scrutiny from the federal government after one victim, Lauren Bullis, was identified as an employee of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who was out walking her dog.The alleged assailant, Olaolukitan Adon Abel, originally from the U.K. and a U.S. citizen since 2022, has been charged with two counts of malice murder and illegal use of a firearm. Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin expressed grave concerns about Abel's citizenship, emphasizing the need for careful scrutiny of applicants with criminal histories.The first victim was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds near a restaurant in the Decatur area early Monday. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries. Hours later, in Brookhaven, another victim—identified as a homeless man—was shot while sleeping outside a grocery store and remains in critical condition. Late in the morning, authorities found Bullis suffering from multiple gunshot and stab wounds; she died at the scene.Mullin detailed Abel’s past criminal record, which includes a sexual battery conviction, although it remains unclear whether this was known at the time he applied for citizenship. The acts of violence have alarmed the community, raising questions about safety and the vetting process for new citizens.As the investigation unfolds, authorities seek to understand whether the victims were targeted or victims of random violence. Bullis' family described her as a compassionate individual, devoted to her family and community.
