In brief
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, accused of killing three people, including a Department of Homeland Security employee, died in jail. Found unresponsive in his cell, his death raises questions about the events leading to the shootings and the possibility of mental health issues. Abel had a history of legal troubles and was a U.S. Navy veteran.
A man charged in a string of shootings near Atlanta that left three people dead, including a Department of Homeland Security employee who was walking her dog, died in jail Tuesday night, authorities said.
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was found unresponsive in his cell, according to a statement from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Officials provided medical treatment to the U.S. Navy veteran, but he was later pronounced dead.
The official cause of death has not been determined, but officials don’t suspect foul play, according to the office. Officials are conducting an internal review.
Abel was accused of killing Prianna Weathers, 31, and DHS auditor Lauren Bullis, 40, in last week’s attack. Authorities also sought an additional murder charge for Tony Mathews, 49, who died on Sunday due to injuries sustained during the attack.
Authorities have not provided a potential motive for the shootings and it remains unclear if Abel knew any of the victims. Police believe at least one was targeted at random.
Adon Abel was represented by a public defender, and the state council overseeing defenders’ work stated that his death denies him the opportunity to contest the charges in court. We also regret that the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims may now be left without the fuller answers a public legal process might have provided about how these deaths occurred, the statement said.
Abel faced charges of malice murder, aggravated assault, and gun offenses related to the attacks. He also faced a federal charge for illegally possessing a firearm as a person previously convicted of a felony.
Before the shootings, Abel had reportedly had a heated argument over the air conditioning in his shared home with roommates, moments before he left and the attacks occurred.
Abel, a native of the United Kingdom, gained U.S. citizenship in 2022 and served in the U.S. Navy. He had faced legal issues in California prior to the shootings, including an assault on two police officers.
His associates expressed concern over his mental health, suggesting that issues he faced may have contributed to the tragic outcomes.
