Austin also condemned what he called a “horrible crime”.
“I am saddened by the horrific attacks in Atlanta, Georgia, yesterday, where we believe that several women of Korean descent were killed,” said the first head of the Black Pentagon. “Our deepest condolences go out to everyone affected by this horrible crime and especially to the families of those who have been killed. I share my colleague’s opinion that this or any other type of violence has no place in our society. “
South Korea’s foreign and defense ministers also expressed their regret at the attack.
Eight people, all but one woman, were killed in three Atlanta spas on Tuesday in a shootout believed to have been executed by Robert Aaron Long, who was charged with eight murder charges.
Long’s motives are not yet clear, but the victims’ backgrounds have raised fears that racial prejudice may have come into play. Violence against Asian Americans has increased in recent months amid the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Long told investigators that the murders were not racially motivated.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms also condemned the attack on Wednesday and recognized the victims’ ethnicity.
“We know [violence against Asian Americans] it is a problem that is happening across the country; it is unacceptable, it is hateful and it has to stop, ”she said.
Long was arrested Tuesday night, about 150 miles south of the city.