DETROIT – Seven people were killed in shootings at three Atlanta-area massage parlors, according to the Associated Press.
The news agency reported that as of Tuesday evening it was still uncertain whether the shootings were related.
Update with details: 7 killed in shootings at 3 Atlanta-area massage parlors
According to CNN, four of the seven victims appear to be Asian American women.
The attacks come at a time when Asian Americans are being subjected to racist attacks. Many blame the recent rise in anti-Asian bigotry on hateful rhetoric sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
The motive behind the shootings is still unknown.
Read: As virus-era attacks on Asians rise, past victims look back
Read more: Attacks on older Asians stoke fear as Lunar New Year begins
Many of the seven people shot to death Tuesday at massage parlors in Georgia were women of Asian descent, authorities say. The shootings took place at two businesses in the Atlanta area and at a third parlor northwest of the city. https://t.co/fKzRjQMcBL
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 17, 2021
7 people were killed at multiple Atlanta area spas including 4 who appear to be Asian women. This comes amid a rise in racist attacks against Asian Americans in recent months. Developing story @CNN
— Nicquel Terry Ellis (@NTerryEllis) March 17, 2021
At least three people were killed and two were wounded after a shooting at a massage parlor in an Atlanta suburb https://t.co/bmGR83vgB4
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 16, 2021