Atlanta Police "Do Not Rule Out Hate Crime Motive in Shooting Incident"

Change in stance amid criticism over mention of sex addiction possibility
White House also early expresses condolences to victims
President Biden to hold meeting with Asian residents in Atlanta tomorrow

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. police announced on the 18th (local time) that they do not rule out hate crime charges against Robert Aaron Long, who carried out the Atlanta shooting incident that left eight victims, including six Asian women, among them Korean Americans. This appears to be in response to growing criticism over initially citing sex addiction as the motive for the crime.

A flag at half-staff was flown at the White House to mourn the victims of the Atlanta shooting.

According to the Associated Press and others, Atlanta police stated at a briefing on the same day, unlike the previous day, "We are trying to determine the motive behind the horrific crime."

An official said, "Nothing has been taken off the investigation table," indicating that all possibilities are being considered. The official also expressed condolences to the already grieving families and the families of unidentified victims.

Atlanta police had previously expressed the view that suspect Long might have been addicted to sex and that it was too early to judge the incident as a hate crime.

Immediately after the police announcement, federal House Representatives Marilyn Strickland, Andy Kim, and others collectively criticized the police for framing the incident as sex addiction rather than a hate crime.

The House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing that day urging an end to violence against Asian Americans. Korean American House members such as Young Kim and Michelle Park Steel, along with other Asian American representatives, attended the hearing as witnesses.

As criticism spread that the police were defending the white perpetrator, worsening the situation, President Joe Biden actively mourned the victims and sought countermeasures.

The White House announced that President Biden postponed a planned economic stimulus promotion event during his scheduled visit to Atlanta the following day and instead planned to meet with Asian American residents to discuss the shooting incident.

President Biden also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and other public institutions to mourn the victims of the incident.

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen emphasized, "Seeing the flag at half-staff at the White House breaks my heart. Asian Americans are suffering from an increase in hate crimes. We must stop and change this situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.