A UK-born man is accused of murdering two women and shooting a homeless man in an apparently random attack.
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, allegedly shot and stabbed Lauren Bullis, 40, and attacked two more people in an early morning rampage on Monday.
The attacks happened in the Atlanta suburbs of Decatur, Brookhaven, and Panthersville.
US homeland security secretary Markwayne Mullin said Ms Bullis, who worked for his department, had been "brutally" killed while she walked her dog.
"He [Adon Abel] 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," said Mr Mullin in a post on X.
"These acts of pure evil have devastated our Department and my prayers are with the families of the victims."
In a statement, the family of Ms Bullis said she loved running, reading, and travelling, and "her warmth and generosity touched everyone surrounding her".
Colleagues also paid tribute, with one describing her as "the nicest, sweetest, most encouraging person I've ever met".
The three attacks took place several miles apart.
The first victim, who was not been publicly identified, was found with gunshot wounds in the Decatur area and died in hospital.
Then a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a Brookhaven grocery store. He remains in a critical condition.
Ms Bullis was out walking in Panthersville when she was killed.
Mr Mullin said Adon Abel had previous convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, assault with a deadly weapon, and vandalism.
He said Adon Abel was born in the UK, but became a naturalised US citizen in 2022 when Joe Biden was president.
Military records show the suspect enlisted in the US Navy in 2020 and last served in a helicopter strike squadron in Coronado, California.
Brookhaven Police Department said he was detained without incident in Troup County, southwest of Atlanta.
"Further investigation has revealed that Adon Abel is also responsible for other shootings that occurred earlier in unincorporated DeKalb County," they said in a statement.
"This remains an active and ongoing investigation."
He now faces charges of malice murder and aggravated assault, as well as firearms charges, court records show. He waived an initial court appearance.
(c) Sky News 2026: UK-born man accused of 'pure evil' after two murders and shooting in Atlanta, Georgia
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