Police have arrested 26-year-old Olaolukitan Abel for a series of random, deadly shootings across the Atlanta area that claimed the lives of two women and left a third victim in critical condition.
Olaolukitan Abel, a 26-year-old Nigerian-American, has been apprehended following a violent shooting spree that left two women dead and a man critically injured across DeKalb County and Brookhaven, Georgia. Police utilized license plate reader technology to track Abel’s rental car after a series of seemingly random attacks that began early Monday morning. The victims included a woman shot outside a Checkers restaurant, a homeless man shot while sleeping, and 40-year-old Lauren Bullis a DHS employee who was shot and stabbed while walking her dog.
Authorities described the attacks as “completely random,” noting that there appeared to be no prior connection between the suspect and his victims. Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley praised the rapid interagency cooperation that allowed investigators to link the crimes within hours, potentially preventing further bloodshed. Abel was eventually taken into custody in Troup County and is now facing multiple counts of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The Department of Homeland Security and various news outlets have identified Abel as a dual Nigerian-British citizen who naturalized in the U.S. in 2022. He reportedly has a significant criminal history, including prior convictions for sexual battery and assault with a deadly weapon. As the investigation continues, Abel remains in detention while the Atlanta community mourns the victims of the unprovoked rampage.
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