Malden Leaders Condemn Anti-Asian Violence After GA Shootings

MALDEN, MA — Officials in Malden are showing their support for the city's Asian community following a shooting rampage in Georgia that left eight people dead, six of whom were women of Asian descent.

According to authorities, a gunman opened fire at three massage parlors across the metro Atlanta area Tuesday. Cherokee County Sheriff's Capt. Jay Baker said the gunman admitted to the killings and blamed the massage parlors for fueling his sex addiction.

Read More: Metro Atlanta Massage Parlor Shootings (5 Things To Know)

Although many of the victims were of Asian descent, officials have said it's too early in the investigation to know if the shootings were "racially motivated." However, many advocates say the shootings coincide with a reported rise in anti-Asian violence since the coronavirus pandemic began.

In a letter to families Thursday, Malden Superintendent John Oteri said the district is "deeply saddened by this attack."

"Although we do not yet know the motivations of the suspect, we know that there have been reports of increased violence against Asian Americans over the past year," Oteri wrote. "In Malden, we have a large number of Asian American students, staff, and families. We are proud of our diversity. We want our families to know that we are here for them."

Read the full letter here.

Sgt. Mike Powell, Malden's civil rights officer, and Det. Kevin Co released a video Friday in which they assured residents that perpetrators of hate crimes will be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law."

"Targeting people because of who they are, what they look like or where they're from will not be tolerated," Powell said. Watch the video below: