Elected Officials, Community Leaders Respond To Deadly Atlanta-Area Shooting Spree

Mallory Rahman and her daughter Zara Rahman, 4, who live nearby, pause after bringing flowers to Gold Spa in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, the day after eight people were killed at three massage spas in the Atlanta area. Authorities have arrested 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long in the shootings at massage parlors in Atlanta and one in Cherokee County.

Ben Gray / Associated Press

Government officials, law enforcement officers and nonprofit leaders from across Georgia are speaking out after a deadly shooting spree Tuesday at three Atlanta-area spa locations left eight people dead.

During a press conference Wednesday morning, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms described the shootings as targeted and tragic.

“Yesterday was a tragic day across our state,” Bottoms said. “As many of you all know, there were several victims who were tragically killed on yesterday, and our thoughts and prayers remain with those families.”