The violent spree began around 12:50 a.m. Monday when Prianna Weathers, 31, was fatally shot outside a Checkers restaurant in Decatur. Approximately an hour later, a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a Kroger grocery store in Brookhaven. The victim remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition. The final attack occurred around 7 a.m., when Lauren Bullis, a 40-year-old auditor for the Department of Homeland Security, was found with gunshot and stab wounds while walking her dog near the suspect's home. Neighbors reported hearing several gunshots between 6:30 and 7 a.m. in the area. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Bullis' husband Jimmie, raising about $11,200 from an initial $18,000 goal as of Wednesday.
According to roommates, the suspect had an intense argument with a roommate over air conditioning in their communal home shortly before the shootings. The suspect then packed a large duffel bag and drove off shortly after midnight Monday morning.
Investigators revealed the suspect was on probation at the time of the attacks, which included a mandate for a mental health evaluation. He had a prior criminal record including convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, assault with a deadly weapon, and vandalism. The suspect was granted U.S. citizenship in 2022 while serving in the Navy and stationed in San Diego.
Prosecutors have charged the suspect in state court with two counts of malice murder, aggravated assault, and firearms counts, and he also faces a federal firearms charge. Another man is accused of buying the gun used in the shootings for the suspect.
Roommate Lakisha Mckinzie said she had been afraid of the suspect ever since he inappropriately touched her last month after asking her on a date. Mckinzie said she complained to her landlord multiple times about the suspect's behavior, but no action was taken. PadSplit, the company managing the shared housing, did not respond to a request for comment about whether it knew about the suspect's alleged behavior in the home.
The suspect was found dead in his jail cell at a DeKalb County jail late on Tuesday night. Life-saving measures were attempted but he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Officials do not currently suspect foul play in the suspect's death. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined and an internal review is underway.
Authorities have not offered a potential motive for the attacks.