Atlanta, GA
Atlanta spa shootings victims remembered 3 years later
Spa shooting rampage 3-year anniversary
It’s been three years since a shooting rampage at spas across Atlanta left eight people dead, including six Asian women.
ATLANTA – Leaders in Metro Atlanta’s Asian American community held a remembrance ceremony and call to action to honor the eight people who lost their lives in the Atlanta spa shootings on March 16, 2021.
It started with a banner procession, then organizers read the names of the eight people killed, six of whom were Asian women.
One of those victims was Michael Webb’s former spouse, 49-year-old Xiaojie Tan.
“She worked hard, she was dedicated to her business. To see her work so hard and save, then to have her life cut short like that is something I think about every day,” Webb said.
Xiaojie Tan (Supplied by family)
He says he came to Saturday’s ceremony to share her story three years later in hopes of preventing something like this from happening again.
“Because what we went through, nobody should have to go through,” Webb said.
Organizer Cam Ashling said they wanted people to understand the fight against Asian hate is still ongoing.
“I want them to not take it for granted, because something like this could happen to any one of our family members. It could happen to my mom, my sister, myself,” Ashling said.
Eight people total were killed at three spa locations in Cherokee County and Atlanta on March 16, 2021. (Supplied)
We asked her how well she thought state leaders have addressed Asian hate and gun violence in the three years since the shooting.
“Horrible. Yeah, I don’t think we’ve gotten very far. We haven’t gotten any kind of meaningful, safe gun legislation passed since then,” Ashling said.
Many young people participated in the ceremony, through musical numbers, speeches and even a traditional lion dance.
Student organizer Tyler Lee is an 11th grader at Peachtree Ridge High School.
“I’m a Korean-American. My grandmother is a Korean-American. Some of the women that were shot and killed look like my grandmother, and I was extremely disheartened. So, I decided something needed to be done,” Lee said.
Lee has worked to get stricter gun laws passed that he says might have helped prevent the 2021 shooting rampage.
Investigators have said shooter Robert Long bought a gun shortly before going on the killing spree.
Atlanta Spa Shooting suspect serving life without parole
Two years after shootings at three spas in Cherokee County and Atlanta that killed eight people, including six Asian Americans, the man who claims responsibility for at least one of the shootings remains behind bars.
Lee says young Asian Americans need to be a bigger part of the fight against hate.
“I truly believe that we will be the pioneers of what we expect to change in our society,” Lee said.
Ashling says they need the entire Atlanta community to stand together with them against this hate in order to make a real difference.
“We just all want to stand together, and we don’t just want Asian Americans to stand together. We need other communities to stand with us, too,” Ashling said.
Organizers called on those in attendance to share their stories of discrimination and hate.
They also called on people here and throughout the metro area to vote in upcoming elections and show how important fighting asian hate is to their elected officials.
Search for missing Atlanta teen enters fourth day
The search for 16-year-old Benjamin Brath remains active in southwest Atlanta as classmates and family members gather to plead for his safe return, according to Atlanta police and school leaders.
ATLANTA – Benjamin Brathwaite, a 16-year-old student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, has been missing since Monday night after leaving his Southwest Atlanta home.
Community rally for missing teen
What we know:
Classmates, teachers, and family members held a rally Friday afternoon to plead for the safe return of the 6-foot-5 teenager. Brathwaite was last seen Monday night leaving his home in the Regency Trace neighborhood off County Line Road.
He was reportedly wearing a black hoodie, black joggers, and Nike running shoes when he disappeared. His family noted that he left without his cellphone or any of his belongings.
Ongoing police search efforts
What we don’t know:
Investigators have not yet determined where Brathwaite may have gone or what his current destination might be. Police have not released a specific motive or reason for why the teen left his home Monday night.
While the search remains active, authorities have not indicated if they have found any physical evidence or leads during their ground and air sweeps.
Law enforcement response
What they’re saying:
“As we speak, we have the helicopter flying over the house, the area, and checking the area,” a police investigator said. “We have our K-9 unit, our drone unit, checking the areas. We will not stop.”
School principal Authur Washington also delivered a message to the student. “Your doors, home, they are open to you, you have friends here, and they want to see you,” Washington said.
Family plea on father’s birthday
The backstory:
The search is now in its fourth day, coinciding with a difficult milestone for the family. Friday is the birthday of Brathwaite’s father.
“The only gift he wants is for you to come home, to be able to wrap his arms around you,” the teen’s brother, William “BJ” Brathwaite, said during the rally.
Next steps in search
What’s next:
A prayer vigil is scheduled for Friday night at Cascade United Methodist Church to support the family and the search efforts.
Community search parties plan to continue looking for the teenager throughout the weekend. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Atlanta Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a FOX 5 news script and broadcast transcript featuring interviews with Benjamin Brathwaite’s family, his school principal, and the Atlanta Police Department.
Photograph courtesy of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
A historic showcase of Christian Dior’s fashion, including pieces never before seen in a public exhibition, is now on view at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film. Dior: Crafting Fashion showcases carefully preserved toiles, Lady Dior handbags, and exquisite gowns worn by celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Demi Moore. “This exhibition is a master class in the magic of a legendary maison,” says SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace.
Photograph courtesy of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
Photograph courtesy of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
Photograph courtesy of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
The exhibit tells the story of the French Couture House’s designers, from Christian Dior to Jonathan Anderson. It shares who they were before they became household names and how they put their own stamp on their collections. It also presents their early design sketches, gardens that inspired them, and some of their most iconic looks.
Photograph courtesy of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
Photograph courtesy of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
Not only does Christian Dior rarely partner with universities; this exhibit marks its first presentation in the Southeast. The design house was likely inspired to come to SCAD’s Atlanta campus by the blockbuster success of 2025’s Christian Dior: Jardines Rêvés at SCAD FASH’s Lacoste location in Provence, France. That exhibit enjoyed record-breaking attendance and rave reviews.
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ATLANTA – A man is recovering after he was shot during a crowd dispute early Thursday morning in northwest Atlanta.
What we know:
Atlanta police say the shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW. Investigators determined the gunfire started during a dispute within a crowd gathered in the area.
When officers arrived at the scene, the crowd had already run away. The man who was shot was alert and conscious when he was taken to a nearby hospital.
What we don’t know:
Police have not yet identified the person who opened fire or released the name of the victim.
It is also unclear what exactly sparked the dispute or the current medical status of the man who was shot.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Atlanta Police Department.
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