On Tuesday, a gunman in Atlanta opened fire in a string of attacks at local spas, murdering 8 people.
And now, it's been alleged that he bought his gun the same day...
But how was this able to happen?
Well, it turns out there's actually a very big reason. Here's the full story...
The world has been left shocked and heartbroken.
I live in Atlanta and am heartbroken about the 8 murders here tonight targeting Asian spas. Disgusting.
— AtlBlue (@atl_randy) March 17, 2021
What happened in Atlanta is petrifying sending so much love and strength to Asian communities rn this is awful.
— White Man Bon Iver 🇮🇪 (@ChantayyJayy) March 17, 2021
The hate that Asians get is truly disgusting. What happened in Atlanta was a racist act of white supremacy at its finest. A white man went to various spas with the intent of murdering those people.
— kiaraknowsnothing (@Kok_oko04) March 18, 2021
My heart goes out to the families and communities of the eight people murdered at metro-Atlanta spas. I am deeply saddened that we live in a nation and world permeated by hate and violence. I stand with Asian members of our World House, who are a part of our global human family.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) March 17, 2021
My condolences goes out to the families of all the victims and the entire Asian community tonight on what transpired in Atlanta at the Aromatherapy Spa. Coward a** young man!! Just senseless and tragic!! 🙏🏾❤️👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 17, 2021
Rest in Peace to the victims of the shooting in Atlanta last night. For months, ESEA communities have been speaking out about the increase in Anti-Asian hate crime and what happens when harmful rhetoric towards marginalised communities is left to fester #StopAsianHate
— gal-dem (@galdemzine) March 17, 2021
The shooting took place on Tuesday evening.
TODAY 8 ASIAN WOMEN WERE KILLED IN A MASS SHOOTING HATE CRIME BY A TERRORIST IN ATLANTA. pic.twitter.com/BHCaDGFdKe
— GUCCI MEIN 🍜 (@tomngo422) March 17, 2021
A lone gunman, reportedly identified as Robert Aaron Long, opened fire at local spas across Atlanta.
As per the New York Times, 4 people died in the first shooting at Young's Asian Massage, which was reported around 5 pm.
Just a short while later, a robbery was reported at Gold Spa and when officers attended they found the bodies of 3 women.
And while at the scene, another call came in that shots were fired nearby at the Aromatherapy Spa, where the body of another woman was found.
8 people died, 6 of whom were Asian.
It comes as the U.S. is seeing a surge in violence targeting Asian Americans.
Dozens gathered at Diversity Plaza tonight in a vigil to mourn the 8 victims, 6 of whom were Asian American women, of last night’s mass shooting in Atlanta, and to condemn the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes. pic.twitter.com/VJ4soNwEo2
— Angélica M. Acevedo (@angacevedo15) March 18, 2021
Though, as per The Cut, investigators said it was still "too early" to confirm whether the attack was racially motivated.
The suspect, Robert Aaron Long, who was arrested following a manhunt, told authorities that he did not target the victims because of their race, but because he had a "sexual addiction" and wanted to "eliminate" his "temptation."
Then, in a shocking news conference, police claimed Long's actions were the result of him having a "really bad day."
Captain Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said that Long "was pretty much fed up and at the end of his rope."
this is what we are NOT going to do
— Jenny Yang (@jennyyangtv) March 17, 2021
we are not going to describe a killer going on a MURDER SPREE OF ASIAN WOMEN as "HAVING A BAD DAY FOR HIM" #Atlantapic.twitter.com/zwdqlhDuwW
Before adding "Yesterday was a really bad day for him, and this is what he did."
While another officer said that Long likely frequented the spas and was "lashing out."
Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant, speaking now on whether the shootings last night were a hate crime
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 17, 2021
"We are still early in this investigation so we cannot make that determination at this moment." pic.twitter.com/ATnqM2Prn9
Leaving people shocked and horrified at their justification of a mass murderer.
But now, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...
It has been alleged that Long purchased his gun on the same day as the shooting.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Long walked into the Big Woods Goods gun shop on Tuesday, he walked out with a 9mm handgun that was later used.
But how is that possible?
Well, as police said on Wednesday, Long was able to buy his gun the same day as Georgia has no waiting period for purchasing a gun.
Georgia also doesn't require a background check for those who are licensed gun owners, simply a state-issued photo ID is enough.
Waiting periods, which can be between 3 and fourteen days, delay the time between purchasing a gun and receiving it.
A period of time that is supposed to prevent buyers acting on impulsive emotions.
Many argue that waiting periods can help to save lives.
Though, according to Giffords, only thirteen states have some form of waiting period in place.
