Georgia shootings: Eight people killed in attacks on spas in Atlanta

Police believe the attacks were carried out by the same person

Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Eight people were killed in shootings at three different spas in the state of Georgia on Tuesday and a 21-year-old male suspect was in custody, US police have said.

Four people were killed in a shooting at Young’s Asian Massage near Acworth, a suburb of Georgia’s capital city Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing the Cherokee County sheriff’s office.

The Atlanta police department separately confirmed that four women were found dead at two business establishments in Atlanta, identified by media as the Gold Massage Spa, and Aroma Therapy spa.

"Upon arrival, officers located three females deceased inside the location from apparent gunshot wounds," the police department said in a statement.

While on the scene, officers were advised of shots fired across the street, and upon responding they found a fourth woman who appeared to have been shot dead.

Police told CNN told that all four victims in Atlanta appeared to be Asian. Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said the victims "may be Asian".

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt Jay Baker said the suspect, Robert Aaron Long, was taken into custody in Crisp County, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Atlanta.

A man suspected in the Acworth shooting was captured by surveillance video pulling up to the business around 4.50pm on Tuesday, minutes before the shooting, authorities said.

Capt Baker said police believe Mr Long is also the suspect in the Atlanta shootings.