Atlanta Spa Shootings: What Happened and How You Can Help

Date Published: March 17, 2021 at 2:50 ET

What Happened in Atlanta?

• On Tuesday March 16, a man traveled to three Asian-owned massage parlors in the Atlanta area and fatally shot eight people. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent.
• Police have identified a white 21-year-old suspect, who they arrested after a manhunt last night. According to Atlanta Sheriff's Capt. Jay Baker, the man “may have frequented some of these places in the past” and may have a “potential sexual addiction.”
• The suspect was found 150 miles south of Atlanta. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said he was headed to Florida and suggested that he may have had plans to carry out more shootings there.
• Despite the suspect saying otherwise, law enforcement still hasn’t ruled out the possible racial motivation for these shootings, and Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said they’re still weighing whether it could be classified as a hate crime. The investigation is still ongoing, and the FBI has confirmed their involvement.
• Local advocates and community leaders in Georgia are planning a rally to remember the victims, support their families, and call for swift police action.

If you’re seeking mental health support, Asian Mental Health Collective provides community and resources for Asian mental health. The Crisis Text Line also offers 24/7 support via text for those in crisis (text DS to 741741). Plus, this mental health guide has tips for coping with the shock, grief, and anger following a mass shooting.

What Else Should I Know?

• Although the suspect has allegedly claimed that his attacks were not racially motivated, it’s important to acknowledge that both gendered and racial stereotypes contribute to the hypersexualization and dehumanization of Asian women in the US, which leads to alarming rates of violence against them.
• According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 41-61% of Asian women report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• This is only compounded by the larger surge in violence against Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Stop AAPI Hate, the leading aggregator of anti-Asian hate incidents, received reports for almost 3,800 hate incidents from March 2020 to February 2021, and 68% of the reports were from women.

“There is an intersectional dynamic going on that others may perceive both Asians and Asian women as easier targets.”

• Russell Jeung, a professor of Asian-American studies at San Francisco State University, speaking to NBC News
• Violence against AAPI communities has been on the rise in large urban cities in particular, with recent attacks in New York, Los Angeles, and The Bay Area.
• This increased harassment and violence can be traced back to the start of the pandemic, where racist conspiracy theories and rhetoric from political leaders like former President Donald Trump fueled xenophobia against AAPI individuals.

What Can I Do?

• Use and share mental health resources. Asian Mental Health Collective provides community and resources for Asian mental health. The Crisis Text Line also offers 24/7 support via text for those in crisis (text DS to 741741). Plus, this mental health guide has tips for coping with the shock, grief, and anger following a mass shooting.
• Listen to and support Asian-led groups and initiatives. You can follow organizations like AAPI Women Lead, Stop AAPI Hate, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum and #HATEISAVIRUS on social media to keep up with the latest news and actions to help AAPI communities.
• Donate to advocates on the ground in Atlanta. Help groups like Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta as they work to support the community and mobilize for justice.
• Report anti-Asian hate and harassment when you see it. Stop AAPI Hate and Stand Against Hatred have reporting tools in several different languages.
• Fight misinformation about Asian-Americans. Sign this petitiontelling platforms to stop the spread of hate and disinformation that fuel anti-Asian violence. Educate yourself on the contributions and challenges of Asian-Americans (and why they matter today) through this PBS film series.
• Spread the word about rising anti-Asian violence. Visibility is the first step to compelling those in power to take action against the surge in hate crimes. Help the #TellOurStories campaign amplify the voices of Asian-Americans and get the attention of the mainstream media.
• Urge lawmakers to support gun safety. Use these tools from Everytown for Gun Safety to tell your representatives to support background checks for gun owners and disarming domestic abusers.