Atlanta spa victims' families reflect on 1-year anniversary, anti-Asian hate

The families who lost loved ones in last year's Atlanta spa shootings say they are pushing through despite the still fresh pain and rise in anti-Asian violence.

In the year since a gunman killed eight people at three Atlanta-based Asian-owned or operated spas, family members who lost a loved one say the pain is still fresh.

Robert Peterson, whose mother, Yong Ae Yue, 63, was the last person killed in the shooting spree while she was working at Aromatherapy Spa told ABC's "Nightline" that he still can't get that day out of his head, but he continues to push through.

"I have no choice but to heal," he said.

Peterson and others in the AAPI community said their anguish has only been compounded with the rise in anti-Asian crimes and rhetoric taking place across the country. Advocates said these incidents are becoming a wake-up call to the community to make a stand against racism.