A British man is suspected of shooting and killing two women in the US state of Georgia in what officials have described an “act of pure evil”.
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was arrested in connection with the deaths of two women and the shooting of a man who remains in a critical condition.
Lauren Bullis, an employee of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was identified as one of the victims.
US homeland security secretary Markwayne Mullin said Ms Bullis had been “brutally shot and stabbed to death” in an attack he described as “pure evil”.
Abel received US citizenship in 2022, Mr Mullin added.
He said: “On Monday a DHS employee, Lauren Bullis, was brutally shot and stabbed to death by Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old, born in the United Kingdom, who was naturalised by the Biden administration in 2022.
“He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers, before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger in Brookhaven.
“These acts of pure evil have devastated our department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.”
The Brookhaven Police Department said the suspect was taken into custody without incident in Troup County, south west of Atlanta, following co-ordination with local detectives.
“Further investigation has revealed that Adon Abel is also responsible for other shootings that occurred earlier in unincorporated DeKalb County,” police said in a statement.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation.”
The Associated Press reported that military records show Abel enlisted in the US navy in 2020, last serving in the helicopter maritime strike squadron in Coronado, California.
As a petty officer he received a navy commendation for superior performance for battle readiness but in 2024 was arrested and charged with assaulting two Coronado police officers and attacking another person.
Court records seen by the AP show he was kicked out of the navy in September of that year.
Historical fiction prize announces first all-British shortlist
What to know about Atlanta-area attacks that killed 2, including a federal worker
New discovery solves mystery of the location of Shakespeare's London house
Almost a quarter of teenagers fear being cancelled over their political views
Rachel Reeves steps in to support businesses amid Iran war
John Swinney pledges national ban on phones in classes if SNP wins in May
