Atlanta, March 17, 2021 – The shooting suspect in multiple spa shootings that killed eight people Tuesday told investigators the crimes were not racially motivated and that he blames the spas for his “addiction to sex,” according to statements from police in a press conference at Atlanta Police Department.
Robert Aaron Long, 21, was arrested just under four hours after allegedly firing his first round in Cherokee County, had previously patronized the businesses. Long is accused of firing into the Young Asian Massage Spa in Acworth before leaving to go wreak havoc in Atlanta.
Georgia State Patrol worked with Sheriff Department from Crisp County to capture the 21-year-old from Woodstock around 8:30 p.m.
Cherokee County's Captain Jay Baker said it appears that only massage parlors were being targeted and no other types of businesses. The Cherokee County Sheriff said the suspect described it as “targets of opportunity” and said Long told investigators that he wanted to “eliminate the temptation.”
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms at the press conference said Long was on his way to Florida to carry out more shootings when he was arrested. She said this incident is “unacceptable and hateful and had to stop”
Two died on scene and two more died in an area hospital at the Atlanta shooting. In Acworth, two Asian women, one white woman, and one white male were killed. One Hispanic male remains hospitalized. In Atlanta, four Asian women were killed at two massage spas.
Names of the victims in Atlanta have not been released. The following shooting victims according to the released information by Cherokee County's Sheriff office:
Xiaojie Yan, 49, of Kennesaw (deceased)
Daoyou Feng, 44, (deceased/unknown address)
Elcias R. Hernandez-Ortiz, 30, of Acworth – (Injured)
Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33, of Acworth (deceased)
Paul Andre Michels, 54, of Atlanta (deceased
Xiaojie Yan, 49, of Kennesaw (deceased)
Daoyou Feng, 44, (deceased/unknown address)
