Robert Aaron Long Faces Atlanta Court Proceedings in Deadly Spa Shooting Case

Key Points

• Robert Aaron Long, convicted in Cherokee County for the first shooting, is already serving life sentences.

• Long faces 19 charges in Fulton County, including felony murder and domestic terrorism.

• Prosecutors in Atlanta plan to seek the death penalty.

• Court hearings are scheduled for the week of September 8.

Court Hearings Begin in Atlanta Spa Shooting Case

Robert Aaron Long, the man tied to the 2021 series of spa shootings across metro Atlanta, is scheduled to return to court for proceedings expected to last the entire week of September 8.

Long has already been convicted in Cherokee County, where he pleaded guilty to killing four individuals at Young's Asian Massage Parlor, the location of the first shooting in the series. He is currently serving multiple life sentences for those crimes.

The violence continued later that same day at Gold Spa on Piedmont Road in Midtown Atlanta, where three more lives were taken. Just across the street, at Aromatherapy Spa, another victim was killed.

Fulton County Case and Death Penalty Consideration

While Long is already imprisoned for life in Cherokee County, the case now proceeding in Fulton County carries even higher stakes. District Attorney Fani Willis has stated her intent to pursue the death penalty.

In Atlanta, Long faces 19 separate charges, including felony murder and domestic terrorism. Several motions recently filed by his defense team directly challenge the death penalty.

One of those motions disputes the constitutionality of Georgia’s lethal injection statute, which allows “any substance sufficient to cause death” to be used in executions. The filing argues that the statute is overly broad and therefore unconstitutional. Another motion seeks to prevent the jury pool from being restricted to only those willing to impose capital punishment.

Broader Impact of the Shootings

The shootings had a profound effect on Atlanta’s Asian American community, as six of the victims were of Asian descent. The case drew national attention and sparked widespread conversations about race, violence, and public safety.

During sentencing in the Cherokee County case, Judge Ellen McElyea delivered a powerful statement, saying:

“All of the victims in this case are innocent. None of them deserved the fate that was visited upon them by Mr. Long. Once hatred is given a gun, it doesn’t matter who gets in the way.”

What Comes Next

With hearings now underway, the Fulton County proceedings will determine whether Long faces the death penalty. His legal team’s motions will play a significant role in how the trial moves forward.

Stay connected with us for continuing updates as the case develops in Atlanta.