On March 16, 2021, a mass shooting took place in Atlanta, Georgia that left eight people dead. The shooting occurred at three different massage parlors in the Atlanta area, with six of the victims being of Asian descent. The incident has sparked outrage and concern about the rise of hate crimes against the Asian American community.
The Shooting
The first shooting occurred at Young’s Asian Massage Parlor in Acworth, Georgia, where four people were killed and one was injured. The second shooting took place at Gold Spa in Atlanta, where three women were found dead. The third shooting occurred at Aromatherapy Spa, also in Atlanta, where another woman was found dead.
The alleged shooter, Robert Aaron Long, was taken into custody later that night after a police chase. Long has been charged with eight counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault.
The Victims
The eight victims of the shooting have been identified as:
- Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33
- Xiaojie Tan, 49
- Daoyou Feng, 44
- Paul Andre Michels, 54
- Soon Chung Park, 74
- Hyun Jung Grant, 51
- Suncha Kim, 69
- Yong Ae Yue, 63
Six of the victims were of Asian descent, leading to concerns about the rise of hate crimes against the Asian American community. The shooting comes amid increased attention on anti-Asian hate crimes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Suspect
The suspect in the shooting, Robert Aaron Long, is a 21-year-old white male from Woodstock, Georgia. Long was apprehended by police after a chase that ended in Crisp County, Georgia.
Long has been charged with eight counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault, and is being held without bond.
The Aftermath
The shooting has sparked outrage and grief in Atlanta and across the country. Vigils have been held to honor the victims and to call for an end to hate crimes against the Asian American community. The incident has also raised concerns about gun violence and access to firearms.
President Joe Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims, and has called for action to address hate crimes and gun violence. The incident is also being investigated as a potential hate crime by the FBI.
Conclusion
The mass shooting in Atlanta has left a community in mourning and has highlighted the ongoing problem of hate crimes in the United States. As we continue to learn more about the incident and its aftermath, it is important to come together to support the victims and their families, and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
