The gunman who opened fire at three spas in Atlanta, killing eight people, including six Asian women, claimed the disaster was not racially motivated, authorities said Wednesday. Still, local police said it was too early to rule out a hate crime.
The shooting sparked fear in the Asian community across the country, which has seen an increase in racial violence and hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a new report, Asian Americans reported nearly 3,800 incidents of hate in the past year.
The 21-year-old suspect was taken into custody and charged with eight murders and one charge of aggravated assault.
VIRGINIE TIPPELEN / AFP via Getty