Atlanta spa shootings: Hate crime trial reignites racial violence debate five years later
Five years ago, a deadly shooting spree in metro Atlanta left eight people dead at three massage businesses. Robert Aaron Long, now 26, carried out the attacks, targeting four victims at Youngs Asian Massage Parlor before moving on to two other spas. Six of the eight killed were women of Asian descent.
On the day of the shootings, Long first arrived at Youngs Asian Massage Parlor in Cherokee County. He opened fire, killing four people and wounding another. Afterward, he drove roughly 30 miles to Atlanta's Gold Spa and Aromatherapy Spa, where he killed three more women.
Long had purchased a gun and ammunition earlier that day. Investigators later revealed he had initially planned to take his own life. His rampage ended after a police chase on Interstate 75, where officers arrested him. In Cherokee County, Long was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is now pursuing additional charges under Georgia's hate crime statute. She has announced plans to seek the death penalty. Long has pleaded not guilty in the Fulton County case and is scheduled to appear in court on March 30, 2026. All four victims in Fulton County were Asian women, while two of the Cherokee County victims were also of Asian descent.
Long remains in custody, serving a life sentence for the Cherokee County murders. The upcoming trial in Fulton County will determine whether he faces further penalties under hate crime laws. The case continues to draw attention due to its racial dimensions and the broader impact on Atlanta's Asian community.
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