Southern Baptist Church Mourns the Atlanta Shooting Victims
The church where 21-year-old suspect Robert Aaron Long was baptized is now in mourning over the tragic loss of life in the Atlanta area. In a horrifying incident, three massage parlors became the scenes of a mass shooting that claimed eight lives, including those of six Asian women.
Jerry Dockery, the lead elder at Crabapple First Baptist Church in Milton, Georgia, where Long once attended services with his family, offered a heartfelt prayer. He asked that God move powerfully in the community to touch the hearts and minds of leaders in various fields. Dockery expressed that his congregation continues to pray for both the families of the victims and for Long’s own family.
Local law enforcement detailed the unfolding of events: Around 5 p.m., a shooting at a massage establishment in the Acworth area resulted in four deaths and injured another individual. Then, during a reported robbery at another spa in northeast Atlanta, officers discovered three women with fatal gunshot wounds. Shortly afterward, responding to reports of gunfire near the Aromatherapy Spa, authorities recovered the body of an additional victim.
After images of Long were released by the sheriff’s office, the church quickly restricted access to its social media pages. This move came as the community struggled to reconcile the devastating news with the suspect’s known ties to the congregation.
A former classmate from Sequoyah High, who graduated with Long in 2017, recalled that he never appeared violent or aggressive, describing him instead as reserved and deeply influenced by his faith. Records from Crabapple First Baptist Church show that Long attended services with his family and even participated actively in the student ministry. During his baptism in 2018, he compared his spiritual journey to the biblical story of the prodigal son—a tale of departure and eventual return, signifying redemption.
While investigators have not yet determined a motive, some community members have linked the attack to a recent surge in anti-Asian sentiment following public health concerns. Leaders and advocates across the state have voiced their shock, emphasizing that the incident is a stark reminder of the harmful impacts of hate and division.
Officials and community figures alike have expressed deep sorrow and called for unity in the wake of these events, urging continued prayers for healing and the safety of all those affected.
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