Two years after the Atlanta spa shootings, Asian American legal advocates help support victims’ families

atlanta spa shootings
Robert Peterson holds a photo of his late mother, Yong Ae Yue, on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Atlanta. Yue was one of eight people shot and killed at various spas on March 16, 2021, in the Atlanta area. Many family members and friends of the victims have been struggling with grief, trying to heal and making sure their loved ones aren't forgotten. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)

In the two years since eight people were killed in Atlanta area spas, advocates have stepped up to help the victims’ families navigate the complex legal system.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is seeking the death penalty and hate crime sentence enhancements against Robert Aaron Long.

Then 21-year-old Long bought a handgun on the afternoon of March 16, 2021. He first stopped in Cherokee County and killed four people. He then drove 30 more miles into Atlanta and killed four more people in Fulton County. Most of them were older Asian women.