DHS employee among those killed in attacks in Atlanta

A string of connected attacks in three Atlanta neighborhoods has caught the eye of the White House as one victim was identified as a Department of Homeland Security employee.

A 26-year-old naturalized citizen has been accused of randomly shooting a homeless man in Brookhaven and two women in DeKalb County in the early hours of April 13, leading to the deaths of both women.

Here's what we know.

String of attacks in Atlanta connected, police say

In a joint news conference Monday, officials with the Brookhaven Police Department and DeKalb County Police Department said three attacks across Decatur, Brookhaven and Panthersville were believed to have been carried out by the same individual.

Just before 2 a.m., a 49-year-old homeless man, who has not been identified but is "known" to police, was shot multiple times in Cherokee Plaza from the attacker's car, according to Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley. He was taken to Grady hospital and remains in critical condition.

A Flock license plate reader owned by a homeowners association in Brookhaven was used to identify the vehicle believed to be connected to the attacks as a rental car, Gurley said. Police could then track the car's movements throughout the evening and learned the same vehicle had been involved in two other attacks.

Around an hour before the attack on the 49-year-old, an unidentified woman had been found with gunshot wounds outside the Checker's in Decatur, more than 10 miles from the second attack, according to DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick. She was taken to the hospital where she died.

Later in the morning, around 6:50 a.m. E.T., another woman was found dead in Panthersville with both gunshot and stab wounds. The woman was later identified as Lauren Bullis, a Department of Homeland security employee who was out walking her dog when she was attacked, the agency said.

The alleged attacker was taken into custody by police during a traffic stop of the identified rental car, police said.

Who is Olaolukitan Adon Abel?

The alleged attacker was identified by police and DHS as 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel, who is originally from the U.K. but had become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 2022.

He is charged with malice murder, aggravated assault and use of a firearm during a felony.

Gurley said Abel had not been known to the Brookhaven Police Department, but DeKalb officials said they were still going through reports to learn if he had any criminal history in the county.

Gurley also said there was no identifiable connection between Abel and the victim in Brookhaven, and it was a "random attack on a member of our unhoused community."

For the two women in DeKalb, Padrick said his agency is still investigating whether there was a clear connection between Abel and those he attacked.

Abel does have a criminal history outside the state of Georgia, according to reporting from the Associated Press. Abel enlisted in the Navy in 2020 and served as a petty officer in California, but was later accused of and pleaded guilty to assaulting two police officers in 2024 where he was stationed.

"He possesses a prior criminal record that includes convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, and assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and now stands accused of murdering (DHS) employee Lauren Bullis by shooting and stabbing her while she walked her dog," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in an April 15 post on X.

It is unclear whether Abel had a criminal history before his naturalization, as convictions for violent crimes have long barred non-U.S. citizens from becoming naturalized.

Lauren Bullis described as 'bright spot' by DHS

Bullis worked at the DHS Office of Inspector General as an auditor and as a team leader in the Office of Innovation, according to the agency.

"In every role she held, Lauren exemplified dedication to the OIG mission," the agency said in an April 15 Facebook post. "Lauren approached her work with integrity, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to excellence that strengthened our organization and the communities we serve. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lauren was a bright spot for so many of the DHS community. She brought warmth, kindness, and a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day."

There has been no indication from law enforcement, as of Thursday morning, that Bullis was targeted by Abel for her role at the DHS.

In another post from DHS on Facebook, the agency shared a mugshot of Abel and said he "randomly murdered" three people which happened to include Bullis.

Irene Wright is following the Department of Homeland Security and ICE operations in Atlanta. Find the Atlanta Connect reporter on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].