Atlanta shooting suspect faces ‘malice murder’ charge

Suspect faces malice murder and aggravated assault charges as calls to stem anti-Asian hate grow after deadly attacks.

The 21-year-old man accused of opening fire at spas in the United States last week, killing eight people, faces additional charges of “malice murder” and aggravated assault, a law enforcement agency said on Monday. Malice murder is an offence in the US state of Georgia, where the deadly attacks took place, alleging implied or express malice. Robert Aaron Long was taken into custody following a chase by police hours after the shooting rampage at three separate spas on March 16, which has sparked a nationwide outcry over hate-based attacks against Asian Americans.