Atlanta Asian community reacts to another mass shooting in America

ATLANTA — Just a month after eight people were killed at three Asian spas in metro Atlanta, 28 more people have died in four more mass shootings across the U.S.

Channel 2′s Matt Johnson talked to one Atlanta victim’s family, who said the violence is deeply concerning.

Paul Michels was doing handiwork at Young’s Asian Massage in Acworth when he became one of the eight people murdered a month ago.

His brother, John Michels, said he’s forgiven the suspect in custody, 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long.

“You have to forgive,” Michels said. “That’s where you get your peace.”

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Michels said that despite his willingness to forgive, he is troubled by the mass shootings that have killed more than two dozen Americans since.

“The increase of violence flat out is a lack of the nation, particularly the government, at the local, state and federal level to address mental illness,” Michels said.

Legislation from Washington has been introduced in response to the shootings. President Joe Biden has announced plans to take on homemade “ghost guns” that are hard to trace.

This week, the Senate advanced a bill that expands how the U.S. responds to hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Stephanie Cho, the executive director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Atlanta said things have to change.

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“There’s a real reckoning within this country,” Cho said. “And then definitely, that’s happening in Atlanta, too.”

Cho said she stays in contact with the families of the six Asian women killed last month.

“I think it’s really traumatic, just as it is, for all of us working within the communities, and then just across the country,” Cho said. “We’re still really dealing with it.”

Reported violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is up an estimated 150%.

Cho said that awareness has increased since the shootings, but there’s more work for her organization to do.

“Even as a person working in this field, our organization gets hate mail on a daily basis,” Cho said.

People have donated nearly a combined $4 million to the eight victims via online fundraisers.

For Paul Michels’ family, his brother worries about more violence without more resources for those on the brink.

“Address the real problem,” John Michels said. “The mental health crisis in this country.”

Emotional day in Atlanta as community mourns those lost in spa shootings