A 26-year-old Atlanta man is in custody following a violent series of apparently random shootings across DeKalb County and Brookhaven that left two women dead and a man critically injured within hours of each other, authorities said.
Police identified the suspect as Olaolukitan Adon Abel, who investigators believe carried out multiple shootings early in the morning across different locations with no known connection between the victims.
Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley said at a news conference that the incidents appear to be linked and described the violence as “particularly alarming,” noting that the attacks could have continued if the suspect had not been quickly identified and located.
The violence began just after 12:50 a.m. outside a Checkers restaurant on Wesley Chapel Road, where a woman was shot multiple times. She later died from her injuries.
A second fatal shooting occurred around 6:50 a.m., when 40-year-old Lauren Bullis was shot multiple times and stabbed while walking her dog on Battle Forest Drive, according to police.
Between those two deadly incidents, officers responded around 2:00 a.m. to the Cherokee Plaza shopping center near a Kroger on Peachtree Road, where a 49-year-old unhoused man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds while sleeping outside a business. He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Authorities said officers arrived within minutes and began life-saving efforts, crediting the rapid response with improving the man’s chances of survival.
Investigators said none of the victims are believed to have had any connection to the suspect, and the shootings are being treated as random acts of violence.
Police said license plate reader technology helped identify a silver Volkswagen Jetta rental car, which led investigators to the suspect. Abel was later arrested in Troup County.
He faces charges including murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, with additional charges expected as the investigation continues.
Officials said the shootings spanned multiple jurisdictions, including unincorporated DeKalb County and Brookhaven, and praised the coordination between agencies that led to a swift arrest.
Investigators continue to examine the suspect’s motive, but authorities emphasized there is currently no ongoing threat to the public.
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