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Brookhaven Today
By the People, for the People
DHS Worker Killed in Atlanta Shootings
Suspect with criminal history was recently naturalized under Biden administration
Apr. 16, 2026 at 3:54am
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The tragic shooting death of a DHS employee exposes the dangers of lax vetting in the naturalization process and the ongoing scourge of gun violence in major U.S. cities.Brookhaven TodayA Department of Homeland Security employee, Lauren Bullis, was shot and stabbed to death while walking her dog in Atlanta on April 13. The suspect, 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel, was a British man who was recently naturalized in the United States despite a lengthy criminal history that included convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, and assault with a deadly weapon.
Why it matters
This tragic incident has devastated the DHS community and raised questions about the vetting process for naturalization, especially for individuals with prior criminal records. It also highlights the ongoing challenges of public safety and gun violence in major U.S. cities like Atlanta.
The details
Abel is alleged to have carried out a crime spree on the morning of April 13, first shooting and killing an unidentified adult woman, then shooting a 49-year-old homeless man, before ultimately confronting and killing Bullis. Abel was taken into custody in Troup County without incident following coordination among multiple law enforcement agencies. He is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and two counts of malice murder.
- Around 12:50 a.m. on April 13, DeKalb County police found an adult woman with multiple gunshot wounds on Wesley Chapel Road. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
- Less than two hours later, around 1:59 a.m., a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a shopping center in Brookhaven.
- At about 6:50 a.m. on April 13, officers responded to Battle Forest Drive, where they found 40-year-old Lauren Bullis with multiple gunshot and stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The players
Olaolukitan Adon Abel
A 26-year-old British man who was recently naturalized in the United States despite a lengthy criminal history that included convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, and assault with a deadly weapon.
Lauren Bullis
A Department of Homeland Security employee who served in multiple roles, including as an auditor in the Office of Audits and as a team leader in the Office of Innovation. She was killed while walking her dog in Atlanta.
What’s next
Investigators said Abel was taken into custody in Troup County without incident following coordination among multiple law enforcement agencies. He is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony related to the Brookhaven shooting, and two counts of malice murder in DeKalb County.
The takeaway
This tragic case highlights the need for thorough vetting and background checks in the naturalization process, especially for individuals with prior criminal records. It also underscores the ongoing challenges of gun violence and public safety in major U.S. cities. The DHS community is devastated by the loss of a dedicated public servant in Lauren Bullis.
