New details: Suspect in DeKalb County shooting spree had extensive criminal history

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—New details are unfolding about Olaolukitan Adon Abel, the 26-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the shooting spree that left two women dead and a homeless man critically injured in separate early Monday morning attacks.   

Abel is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, according to news reports. In Oct. 2024, Abel was convicted of shooting a peace officer in San Diego, California, 11 Alive News reported. By May 2025, Abel  was living in Georgia and arrested for groping five women within an hour in the Savannah are. He was sentenced to 48 months’ probation, instructed to undergo a mental health evaluation and banned for four years from Savannah, the news station said.

Abel, who is now being held at the DeKalb County Jail, was supposed to have his first court appearance on Tuesday, April 14, but waived his rights. He is facing multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault and possession of a gun as a convicted felon in connection with the attacks against the two women and man in DeKalb County.  

Authorities said the three victims and Abel had no connection to one another, calling the attacks random. Several law enforcement agencies that assisted DeKalb County Police connected Abel to the shootings after investigators identified his leased vehicle as a silver Volkswagen Jetta, which was observed leaving the first crime scene. Utilizing surveillance and Flock license plate readers, the vehicle was tracked to Troup County, where Abel was arrested. 

In addition to regional law enforcement partners, the Georgia Highway Patrol assisted DeKalb County Police with the investigation and manhunt. 

Authorities said Abel allegedly shot and killed the first victim around 1 a.m. outside of a Checkers restaurant on Wesley Chapel Road. Her identity has not been released.

Around 2 a.m., Abel then drove by a sleeping homeless man firing four times, striking the victim three times as he slept outside near a Kroger grocery store in a Brookhaven shopping plaza. Brookhaven Police said the victim survived but was listed in critical condition.

About four hours later, the third victim, Lauren Bullis, 40, was shot and stabbed to death while walking her dog on Battle Forrest Drive. Neighbors planned to honor her memory by collectively walking in their community on  Tuesday evening.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time. We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing threat related to this suspect, and we remain committed to ensuring the safety of our residents,” the DeKalb County Police Department said.