Atlanta Spa Shootings: NBA Stars Speak Up, Slam Rising Hate Crimes Against Asians In USA

On Tuesday evening, eight people were shot to death at three massage parlours in Atlanta, Georgia, raising fears that the Atlanta spa shootings victims are probably of Asian descent. Six of the women killed were Asian, and the Atlanta spa shootings gunman was identified as 21-year-old, Robert Aaron Long. Soon after the Atlanta spa shootings made headlines, several NBA stars took to social media to speak up against the hate crime against Asians in the USA. 

Atlanta spa shootings victims revealed: Six Asians among deceased in Georgia killings

The horrific Atlanta killings of eight people took place on Tuesday, March 16 at Young's Asian Massage in Acworth, Cherokee County. It was later revealed that two people died at the scene and three were taken to hospital, where two more died. The local sheriff confirmed that two of the victims were Asian women, a white woman and a white man while another Hispanic man had been wounded.

The names of the four victims had been released on Wednesday as police confirmed that Ashley Yaun, 33; Paul Andre Michels, 54; Xiaojie Tan, 49; and Daoyou Feng, 44, were among the deceased. It is believed that four other women who were shot dead, were also of Asian background.  

NBA stars react to Georgia killings, speak up on hate against Asians

Soon after the Atlanta spa shootings grabbed headlines, former and current NBA stars took to Twitter to voice their opinions on the matter. Former NBA and current Santa Cruz Warriors star Jeremy Lin, who is of Chinese descent, wrote, "This is sooo heartbreaking...praying for our world. To my Asian American family, please take time to grieve but know you're loved, seen and IMPORTANT. We have to keep standing up, speaking out, rallying together and fighting for change. We cannot lose hope! #StopAsianHate"

The NBA also released a statement over the incident, along with several other teams. Four-time NBA champion LeBron James, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young and Sixers' Tobias Harris were among the many that spoke against the tragedy.

Who was the Atlanta spa shootings gunman? Atlanta shootings reason not race-related?

According to reports from CNN, the suspect, Robert Aaron Long, faces multiple counts of murder as well as aggravated assault. However, officials cannot yet confirm if racism was the Atlanta shootings reason. While the attack came amid a sharp uptick in crimes against Asian-Americans, it is suggested that the shooter, himself, denied that the killings were motivated by race. The local sheriff revealed that "Mr Long was caught with a 9mm handgun and did not resist arrest."

Image Credits - AP