Suspect Dies in Jail 8 Days After Georgia Killings

A man accused in a series of shootings around the Atlanta area that left three people dead has died while in custody, according to local officials.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel was discovered unresponsive in his jail cell Tuesday night. Deputies attempted lifesaving efforts, but he was later pronounced dead. Authorities stated there were no immediate signs of foul play, though an investigation is ongoing. Deputy Chief Investigator Jess Dillar said determining the exact cause of death will take time as officials gather more information.

Adon Abel had been facing multiple murder charges tied to last week’s shootings, which claimed the lives of Prianna Weathers, 31, and Lauren Bullis, 40, a Department of Homeland Security auditor who was walking her dog at the time. Investigators were also preparing to bring an additional murder charge related to the death of Tony Mathews, 49, who had been wounded in the incident and later died Sunday.

Police have not identified a clear motive for the attacks and have not confirmed whether the suspect knew the victims. Authorities have indicated that at least one of the shootings may have been random. According to people who lived with him, Adon Abel had argued with roommates over air conditioning shortly before the violence and then left the residence. He shared the home with six others, each living in separate sections.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Adon Abel became a U.S. citizen in 2022 while serving in the Navy and stationed in the San Diego area. Records show he enlisted in 2020. Following the shootings, the case drew attention from the Trump administration. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Adon Abel’s citizenship and cited a history of alleged prior offenses, though it remains unclear when those incidents occurred.

Court records show that in October 2024, Adon Abel pleaded guilty in San Diego County, California, to charges including assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism connected to an incident involving police officers and another individual. Additional records indicate that someone with the same name and birth date pleaded guilty in June in Chatham County, Georgia, to four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.

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