A man named Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, who was accused of a shooting spree in Atlanta suburbs on April 13th, was found deceased in jail custody on Tuesday. Abel was suspected of fatally shooting Prianna Weathers, Tony Matthews, and DHS employee Lauren Bullis. Authorities have initiated an internal review regarding the cause of death, which is pending medical examiner confirmation. Abel faced multiple charges, including malice murder, and evidence linking him to the scene was reportedly found during searches. The case also brought attention to Abel's background, including a prior criminal record and his acquisition of U.S. citizenship in 2022.
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A man accused of a deadly shooting spree across several Atlanta suburbs last week was found deceased in jail custody, according to authorities. Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday, and officials confirmed his death after attempts to revive him failed.
Details of the Discovery
Incident: Abel was found unresponsive in his jail cell around 6:48 p.m. on Tuesday.
Outcome: Detention staff were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead about half an hour later, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigation: The department stated there was "no indication of criminal activity or foul play," and an internal review has been launched to examine the circumstances of his death. The official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner’s office.
The Alleged Shooting Spree
Adon Abel was suspected of shooting three individuals on April 13th in different Atlanta suburbs. The victims included:
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Prianna Weathers: Fatally wounded by multiple gunshot wounds near a restaurant in Decatur around 1 a.m.
Tony Matthews: Shot multiple times outside a grocery store in Brookhaven. He was hospitalized for six days before passing away on April 19th.
Lauren Bullis: A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee, who was shot and stabbed while walking her dog in Panthersville hours later.
Legal Charges and Investigation Findings
Authorities initially suspected Abel based on surveillance footage and license plate readers. He was taken into custody on the day of the shootings during a traffic stop in Troup County.
Initial Charges: Abel was charged with two counts of malice murder, aggravated assault, and a firearms count.
Additional Charges: Following Matthews' death, police indicated they would seek an additional charge of malice murder.
Federal Connection: Abel also faced federal firearms charges related to a 9mm handgun allegedly found at the scene where Bullis was killed. The Justice Department traced the firearm to Damon Marquis Yarns, who allegedly told authorities he bought the weapon for Abel.
Evidence Found: Georgia State Patrol troopers discovered a box of 9mm ammunition and shell casings matching the brand found at Bullis's location during a search of Abel’s vehicle.
Background and Citizenship Concerns
Citizenship: Abel is a native of the United Kingdom who obtained U.S. citizenship in 2022.
Criminal History: Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin noted that Abel had a prior criminal record, including a sexual battery conviction. Online court records also showed an individual with the same birth date pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery charges in Chatham County, Georgia, last June.
Official Statements: Mullin stated that DHS works to prevent individuals with criminal histories from attaining citizenship, though the specifics regarding Abel’s pre-citizenship record were not fully detailed.
