Atlanta, January 12, 2026
Recent legal proceedings in Fulton County have refocused attention on Robert Aaron Long, accused of the March 2021 Atlanta spa shootings. The motions hearings, crucial for the ongoing legal battle, are examining whether Long’s previous admissions can be used against him. District Attorney Fani Willis is pursuing hate crime charges and the death penalty, further intensifying discussions surrounding the case and its implications for the victims’ families and the wider Asian American community.
Atlanta
Recent legal proceedings have brought renewed focus to the tragic events of March 2021, as motions hearings continued in Fulton County for Robert Aaron Long, the individual accused in the Atlanta spa shootings. These hearings, which picked back up in early September 2025, are a critical juncture in the ongoing legal process for the victims and their families. Long faces multiple charges related to the deaths that occurred across several spa locations.
The proceedings in Fulton County represent the next phase after Long’s initial appearances and pleas in Cherokee County. In September 2025, attorneys for Robert Aaron Long were present in court as motions hearings progressed. Earlier, in March 2025, Long appeared in a Fulton County court facing charges connected to the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings. A significant aspect of these hearings has been the prosecution’s intent to use Long’s previous admissions against him in Fulton County. These admissions reportedly involve his claims that the shootings were not racially motivated, but rather that he targeted spas due to a perceived “sex addiction”.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has consistently pursued hate crime charges and the death penalty against Long, a stance first articulated in August 2021. Despite Long having already entered a guilty plea in Cherokee County for the initial killings there, securing a life sentence, the Fulton County prosecution maintains its separate and distinct pursuit of justice for the victims within its jurisdiction. In September 2021, Long appeared in Fulton County Superior Court, where he waived arraignment and entered a not guilty plea on charges including four killings. That same month, he was due to enter a plea in Fulton County.
The tragic events unfolded on March 16, 2021, beginning at Youngs Asian Massage near Woodstock, where Long reportedly first paid for a service before initiating the shooting rampage. The attacks subsequently continued at two other spas in Atlanta. A total of eight individuals lost their lives, six of whom were women of Asian descent, a detail that has underscored the profound impact on the Asian American community and fueled discussions about hate crimes and racial motivations.
The legal journey for the accused has been protracted, marked by several significant moments. In July 2021, prosecutors in Cherokee County were reportedly nearing a plea deal with Long. By September 2021, Long had entered a guilty plea in Cherokee County and received four life sentences plus 35 years for those killings. However, the legal complexities extended to Fulton County, where he faced additional charges. In October 2023, Long’s legal representation argued that he was too young to be sentenced to death, a point raised during his arraignment in Fulton County Superior Court in September 2021. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has been notably active, even welcoming its largest onboarding class in April 2024. The continuation of motions hearings underscores the methodical and deliberate nature of the justice system, even in cases where an accused individual has already been convicted elsewhere. The pursuit of charges in Fulton County, including potential hate crime enhancements and the death penalty, reflects a steadfast commitment to addressing the full scope of the tragedy and its human cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What were the recent legal proceedings concerning Robert Aaron Long?
- Recent legal proceedings involved motions hearings in Fulton County for Robert Aaron Long, which continued in early September 2025.
- What charges does Robert Aaron Long face in Fulton County?
- Robert Aaron Long faces multiple charges related to the deaths that occurred across several spa locations in Fulton County, and the Fulton County District Attorney has pursued hate crime charges and the death penalty against him.
- What were Robert Aaron Long’s claims regarding the motivation for the shootings?
- Robert Aaron Long claimed the shootings were not racially motivated, stating he targeted spas due to a perceived “sex addiction”.
- When did the Atlanta spa shootings occur?
- The Atlanta spa shootings occurred on March 16, 2021.
- What was the outcome of the Cherokee County legal proceedings for Robert Aaron Long?
- In Cherokee County, Robert Aaron Long entered a guilty plea and received four life sentences plus 35 years for the killings that occurred there.
- Has Robert Aaron Long entered a plea in Fulton County?
- In September 2021, Robert Aaron Long waived arraignment and entered a not guilty plea on charges including four killings in Fulton County Superior Court.
Key Features of the Atlanta Spa Shooting Legal Proceedings
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Accused Individual | Robert Aaron Long |
| Primary Locations of Legal Action | Fulton County, Cherokee County |
| Date of Shootings | March 16, 2021 |
| Number of Fatalities | Eight individuals |
| Motivation Claimed by Accused | Targeted spas due to perceived “sex addiction”, claimed not racially motivated |
| Fulton County Prosecution Stance | Pursuing hate crime charges and the death penalty |
| Cherokee County Outcome | Guilty plea, four life sentences plus 35 years |
| Latest Documented Legal Event (from provided data) | Motions hearings continued in Fulton County in early September 2025 |
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Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
