The NYPD is deploying officers
to Asian American communities across the five boroughs following a string of
shootings that left eight women
dead at three Atlanta-area spas.
Police in Atlanta say investigators
found three women dead
inside the Gold Spa in Atlanta after a call of a reported robbery came in
around 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant says
while at the first location, they received another call across the street
regarding shots being fired.
The majority of the victims in the Georgia shooting appear to be Asian.
Police say it is too early to tell if they
were targeted because of their race.
Police took a suspect into custody about 150 miles south of
Atlanta hours after he allegedly went on a killing spree.
The NYPD says there has been
an increase in attacks on the Asian community in the city.
The NYPD says there are no specific threats, but they are being vigilant after
the attack near Atlanta, and an incident in Midtown where a woman told police someone threw a
liquid at her and yelled “Go
back to China.”
A rally on Sunday was held at Sunset Park to reject recent hate crimes
against Asian Americans.
One New Yorker at a rally says, “The Asian American community has been suffering for too long.”
The MTA also launched a new marketing campaign
with signs at stations, on buses and in trains that encourage respect for all
New Yorkers.
The campaign is being done in partnership with the NYPD, and focuses on
“kindness,” “respect” and “solidarity.”
Police urge residents to contact the NYPD Asian Hate Crimes Task Force if they
see any potential crimes of hate.