Atlanta Navy veteran charged after string of shootings
PUBLISHED Apr 20, 2026, 2:28 PM ET
Read, Watch or Listen
Atlanta. A 26-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, Olaolukitan Adon Abel, was charged by Georgia authorities after a series of early-morning shootings across Decatur, Brookhaven and Panthersville on April 13, which left multiple people wounded and at least two dead, officials said this week. This week authorities said Tony Mathews, 49, died from injuries sustained on April 13 and prosecutors sought an additional murder charge against Abel; law enforcement also reported that the suspect was found unresponsive in his jail cell Tuesday night and later pronounced dead while officials conduct an internal review.
By Sidra | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 2022: Olaolukitan Adon Abel granted U.S. citizenship while serving in the U.S. Navy.
- April 13: Early-morning shootings occurred across Decatur, Brookhaven and Panthersville, Georgia.
- April 13 (just before 1 a.m.): Prianna Weathers was shot outside a Decatur restaurant.
- April 13 (about an hour later): Tony Mathews was shot outside a Brookhaven supermarket and later died from his injuries.
- Following April 13: Authorities charged Abel with multiple counts, sought an additional murder charge, and later found him unresponsive in custody; officials initiated an internal review.
News Intelligence
- This case underscores the importance of community safety. It's a reminder to stay vigilant, especially during early morning hours. Check your local crime reports regularly and consider joining or starting a neighborhood watch program.
- Articles Published:
- 5
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 5
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%
Law enforcement and prosecutors obtained custody of the suspect, enabling formal charges and investigative reviews to proceed.
Families of the three victims suffered deaths and injuries, and local communities experienced trauma from multiple shootings.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
No left-leaning sources found for this story.
From Center
Atlanta Navy veteran charged after string of shootings
My Northwest AP NEWS WGXA 9NEWS ABC57From Right
No right-leaning sources found for this story.
Comments