Status: 03/17/2021 7:47 p.m
Eight dead, six of them with Asian roots – the motive of the Atlanta shooter is still completely unclear. Nevertheless, a debate about hatred of Asian citizens has flared up.
“We heard the shots across the street,” the witness told a CNN reporter, behind her the pink barracks of the “Gold Spa” massage parlor cordoned off with police tape. Hours earlier, three women had been shot dead here. “They were such nice girls,” says the woman, “they gave great massages. It’s really unfortunate.”
The shock is great the morning after: within an hour, the alleged perpetrator had killed eight people in three massage and wellness spas in the Atlanta area – seven of them women, six with Asian roots. He then fled by car.
Alleged perpetrator arrested
Police were only able to find and arrest him after a three-hour chase more than 150 miles, says Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Police Department, north of Atlanta. In his district, the perpetrator, who also lived there, first struck and killed two women and two men, another was injured: “He is now under arrest. They were able to stop him and arrest him without any problems.”
Asking the “why”
The police assume it was a lone perpetrator. Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said his motive was still unclear at a press conference the day after: “We were asked if this was a hate crime. But we’re still at the very beginning. We can’t say that yet.”
The suspect was questioned that night, according to Cherookee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds. He gave hints about problems and that he might be sex addicted. “And that he might have been a customer in these salons. But it’s still too early, we’re still at the very beginning.”
During the interrogation, the suspected shooter also said his escape destination was Florida. He wanted to continue killing there if he hadn’t been stopped. The alleged perpetrator is to be brought before the magistrate on Thursday.
More violence against Asian citizens
In the United States, there has long been speculation about a racially motivated crime. Also because the number of verbal and violent attacks on Asian citizens has increased dramatically during the pandemic. There were over 3,000 between March 2020 and February 2021 – an increase of almost 2,000 percent. However, the alleged perpetrator himself denies having acted for racist reasons.
US President Biden, who was already briefed on the events in Atlanta that morning, condemned the attacks on Asian citizens as un-American in a speech last week. This has to stop – right now.
Ethnic origin certainly played a role in this series of murders, says Cedric Alexander, former security chief for Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, on CNN: “People with Asian roots are pigeonholed and blamed for the pandemic. Although that is just wrong.”
Trump’s shadow?
The organization “Stop Hate Against Asians,” which documents such attacks, called the shots at the Asian women an unbelievable tragedy — for the families and all people with Asian roots in the United States. Like many in the US, the group blames ex-President Trump for the overall increase in violence. Because he repeatedly blamed China for the pandemic and talked about the “China virus” and “Kung Flu”.
Whatever the motive, this is a tragic day for Atlanta, City Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms explained, “Whether it’s senseless violence in the streets or targeted violence like this. An attack on any group of people an attack on us all.”
Murders in Asian spa salons in the US state of Georgia
Julia Kastein, ARD , 17.3.2021 7:56 p.m