Members Of Congress Honor Victims Of Atlanta Spa Shootings

ATLANTA — Five members of the United States House of Representatives were in Atlanta Sunday visiting the spas where eight people were killed in a shooting rampage earlier this month. The five lawmakers, all members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, laid flowers are paid their respects at all three of the murder sites.

The congresspeople met at Young's Asian Massage, and drove 27 miles to Gold Spa and Aromatherapy Spa, following the killer's route "to show just how far he had to travel in order to deliberately target Asian women," according to a news release from Reps. Judy Chu of California, Grace Meng of New York, Mark Takano of California, Al Green of Texas and Carolyn Bourdeaux of Georgia.

Six of the eight fatal victims were Asian women. A ninth person was injured in the attack.

The congressional group paid tribute to Soon C. Park, 74, Hyun J. Grant, 51, Suncha Kim, 69, Young A. Sue, 63,Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33, Paul Andre Michels, 54, Xiaojie Yan, 49 and Daoyou Feng, 44, all who were killed in the March 17 shooting rampage.

"They were business owners, mothers, hard workers, and valued members of the community," Takano said on Twitter Sunday. "We honor their memory."

Meng said she was there to "lift up, and honor those who were murdered."

"For too long in this country, we have made invisible so much of the history and contributions of Asian Americans, especially Asian American women," she said.

See Also: Women Killed In Atlanta Spa Shooting Rampage Identified; 8 Killed In 3 Massage Parlor Shootings

The suspect, Robert Aaron Long, has been charged in connection with all the deaths.

A news release from the congressional representatives said the Atlanta shooting is the latest attack in a string of over 3,800 reported anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents since the coronavirus pandemic started.