Atlanta Triple-Killing Suspect Olaolukitan Abel Found Dead In DeKalb County Jail Cell
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, accused of a three-killing Atlanta-area shooting spree, was found dead in his DeKalb County jail cell Tuesday evening. He was found unresponsive in his cell at about 6:48 p.m., the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said. Abel, 26, was accused of killing three people in a spree earlier Tuesday and Wednesday morning across Atlanta suburbs. Authorities say Prianna Weathers, 31, was killed about 12:50 a.m. in Decatur and Tony Mathews, 49, was ambushed in Brookhaven and later died of his wounds. DHS auditor Lauren Bullis, 40, was shot and stabbed about 6:50 a.m. in Panthersville, officials said.
The DeKalb sheriff's office said there was "no indication of criminal activity or foul play" in Abel's in-custody death and that an internal review is underway. A medical examiner will determine the official cause of death. The New York Times identified him as Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26. Reports say he was originally from the United Kingdom and became a U.S. citizen in 2022 while serving in the Navy in San Diego. Police records cited by Fox News include prior convictions for sexual battery and for assault and battery against a police officer. Roommates told the Associated Press he had argued about air conditioning and stormed out shortly before the shootings, offering a glimpse into his state of mind. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed Bullis' role as an auditor and said her killing was a brutal shooting and stabbing, remarks that also raised questions about federal vetting.
Early coverage focused on the attacks and victim details, while later reporting shifted to Abel's background and his death in custody. The New York Times supplied the name and time he was found unresponsive, while Fox News added victims' names, a more detailed timeline, the sheriff's statement and background on Abel. Coverage has moved discussion from immediate public safety to questions about jail oversight and federal screening, which officials say will be addressed in reviews and by the medical examiner.
đ Key Facts
- The three victims were identified as DHS auditor Lauren Bullis, 40; Prianna Weathers, 31; and Tony Mathews, 49 â Mathews later died of his wounds.
- The shootings occurred in a multi-location spree: Weathers was killed around 12:50 a.m. in Decatur, Mathews was ambushed in Brookhaven, and Bullis was shot and stabbed around 6:50 a.m. in Panthersville.
- The suspect was identified as Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, and was found unresponsive in a DeKalb County jail cell at about 6:48 p.m. on Tuesday.
- The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said there was 'no indication of criminal activity or foul play' in the in-custody death, and an internal review is underway while the medical examiner determines the cause of death.
- Abel was originally from the United Kingdom, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2022 while serving in the Navy in San Diego, and had prior convictions including sexual battery and assault and battery against a police officer.
- Roommates told the Associated Press that Abel had argued with them about the air conditioning and stormed out of their residence shortly before the shootings, offering a glimpse into his state of mind before the attacks.
- DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin publicly confirmed Lauren Bullis was a DHS auditor, described her killing as a brutal shooting and stabbing, and said the case raised questions about federal vetting practices.
đ° Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Identifies the suspect by full name as Olaolukitan Adon Abel, age 26.
- States that Abel was found unresponsive in his DeKalb County jail cell at about 6:48 p.m. Tuesday.
- Quotes the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office saying there was 'no indication of criminal activity or foul play.'
- Names and ages of the three victims: DHS auditor Lauren Bullis, 40; Prianna Weathers, 31; and Tony Mathews, 49, who died of his wounds after the initial reports.
- More precise timeline and geography of the spree: Weathers killed around 12:50 a.m. in Decatur, Mathews ambushed in Brookhaven, and Bullis shot and stabbed around 6:50 a.m. in Panthersville.
- DeKalb County Sheriff's Office statement that there is 'no indication of criminal activity or foul play' in the suspect's in-custody death and that an internal review is underway while the medical examiner determines cause of death.
- Background on the suspect: originally from the United Kingdom, naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2022 while serving in the Navy in San Diego, with prior convictions including sexual battery and assault and battery against a police officer.
- Roommates' account to the Associated Press that the suspect argued over air conditioning and stormed out shortly before the shootings, offering a glimpse of his state of mind.
- DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin publicly confirmed Bullis' role as a DHS auditor and described her killing as a brutal shooting and stabbing, and highlighted the case as raising questions about federal vetting after acknowledged screening gaps under the prior Biden administration.