Abel is accused of shooting and stabbing Lauren Bullis while she was walking her dog. According to major media reports, Bullis was found dead around 6:50 AM on Monday in Battle Forrest Drive near Decatur. Abel is also accused of murdering an unidentified woman shot outside a Checkers restaurant.
The unidentified woman was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside a Checkers on Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur around 12:52 AM on Monday and later died at a hospital, according to major media. Abel is further accused of shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger grocery store in Brookhaven. The homeless man was found shot at Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center at approximately 1:59 AM on April 13, 2026, and remains in critical condition, major media reports.
The Brookhaven Police Department confirmed all three attacks were connected. Abel was born in the United Kingdom and became a US citizen in 2022 under the Biden administration. He has a criminal record including convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, assault with a deadly weapon, and vandalism.
According to major media, Abel was on probation at the time of the attacks, which included a mental health evaluation mandate. Abel was arrested in Troup County after police tracked his rented Volkswagen Jetta using license plate recognition technology, according to major media. He faces charges including murder, aggravated assault, and weapons violations, and waived his first court appearance, major media reports.
The Brookhaven Police Department stated they arrested and charged Abel with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the shooting at Cherokee Plaza. A GoFundMe has been launched to support Lauren Bullis' husband, raising about $11,200 toward an $18,000 goal as of Wednesday, according to major media. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that since President Trump took office, USCIS has implemented measures to ensure individuals with criminal histories and who lack good moral character do not attain citizenship.
According to Mullin, the attacks were described as 'pure evil' or 'pure acts of evil' that have devastated the department. Key unknowns remain, including the motive behind the attacks and the identity of the woman shot outside the Checkers restaurant. The current condition and identity of the homeless man shot outside Kroger have not been publicly confirmed.
It is also unclear how Abel obtained a firearm given his criminal record and probation status, or what specific mental health evaluation or treatment was mandated as part of his probation and whether it was complied with. According to major media, Tiffany Williams described seeing a woman laying down and a man over her, prompting her to run.