Olaolukitan Adon Abel, the 26-year-old accused of a brutal shooting spree that claimed three lives in DeKalb County, Georgia, was found unresponsive in his jail cell Tuesday evening and later pronounced dead.
The discovery occurred at approximately 6:48 p.m. on April 21st, a chilling coincidence as the family of one of his victims gathered for a vigil.
Jail staff immediately attempted life-saving measures, but were unable to revive him; he was declared dead at 7:17 p.m. Authorities have stated there are currently no signs of foul play, though both an internal investigation and a medical examiner’s autopsy are underway.
Abel’s rampage unfolded on the morning of April 13th, spanning three separate locations across DeKalb County. He now faced charges including two counts of murder and multiple weapons offenses.
The first victim fell before a Checkers restaurant, struck down in a sudden act of violence. He then targeted Lauren Bullis, a 40-year-old Department of Homeland Security employee, brutally stabbing and shooting her while she walked her dog in a quiet neighborhood.
The senseless violence didn’t end there. Abel also opened fire on a homeless man outside a shopping center, leaving him critically wounded with multiple gunshot injuries.
Brookhaven Police quickly launched an investigation, utilizing their “Operation Plugged In” camera network to develop leads and identify Abel as the shooter in the Cherokee Plaza incident.
Detectives swiftly coordinated with the Georgia Department of Public Safety, leading to Abel’s arrest in Troup County without incident. Further investigation revealed his involvement in the other shootings across DeKalb County.
Details emerged revealing a disturbing history. Prior to this horrific event, Abel had accumulated a significant criminal record, including convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, and assault with a deadly weapon.
