On March 16, 2021, Robert Aaron Long killed eight people at three different spas in metro Atlanta. Of the eight victims, seven were women, and six were Asian. At the time of the shooting, the question remained if this was a hate crime. The seven female victims that were killed are:
- Soon C. Park: She worked at the Gold Spa. She was the oldest among the victims that were killed.
- Hyun J. Grant: Ms. Grant, 51, also worked at the Gold Spa. She was a mother of two boys.
- Suncha Kim: Ms. Kim, 69, worked at Gold Spa.
- Yong A. Yue: She worked at the Aromatherapy Spa. She was 63, and was one of the last victims to be shot.
- Xiaojie Tan: She owned Young’s Asian Massage.
- Daoyou Feng: Feng worked for Ms. Tan, and she was 44 years old
- Delaina Ashley Yaun: She worked at the Waffle House restaurant, the day she was killed, she was on a date with her husband
The male victim was:
- Paul Andre Michels: Mr. Michels was a businessman, he was 54 years old and had moved to Atlanta 25 years ago.
The murderer, Mr. Long, was charged with eight counts of murder, and one count of aggravated assault. He is being held without bond in Cherokee County. He told police he went on the killing spree because it had been “a really bad day.”
This should not be a debate. Having “a bad day” should not be an excuse for killing eight innocent people. Repeat: having a bad day doesn’t mean you can go around and murder eight innocent people.
It was a bad day for the families of those that were murder. Since COVID-19 has begun, Asian hate crimes have been on the rise. Asian Americans shouldn’t have to live in fear wondering whether or not they will be murdered by someone who is having a bad day.
To support our Asian friends, donate to:
- Armed Patrol Security Guards for Oakland Chinatown
- Asian Americans Supporting Justice
- Enough is Enough
- Hate is a Virus
- Heart of Dinner
- Stop Asian Hate
- Stop AAPI Hate
- They Can’t Burn Us Al
For more information please visit:
Plaid Line 