What people are saying

The Rev. Bernice King,

daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said she’s “deeply saddened that we live in a nation and world permeated by hate and violence. I stand with Asian members of our World House, who are a part of our global human family.”

“I think it’s important we acknowledge the fact if this is hate crime. We are still early in this investigation, so we can’t make a determination. We are very early.”

Atlanta police Chief Rodney Bryant

“We are shaken by the violence in our city that has left 8 people dead, including members of the Asian American community. We are gathering information about what happened and what the needs of those directly impacted are. Now is the time to hold the victims and their families in our hearts and with light.”

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta in a statement

“A motive is still not clear, but a crime against any community is a crime against us all. ... My prayers are with the families and friends of the victims whose lives were cut short by these shootings,”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

The shootings appear to be at the “intersection of genderbased violence, misogyny and xenophobia.”

Georgia state Rep. Bee Nguyen

“We’re not yet clear about the motive. But I do want to say to our Asian American community that we stand with you and understand how this has frightened and shocked and outraged all people.”

Vice President Kamala Harris

“My staff members and I are horrified by the violent shootings that took place at businesses in Woodstock and Atlanta this afternoon. Our prayers are with the families of the victims this evening, and for healing for those injured. I am so grateful for our law enforcement professionals who identified and apprehended the suspect.”

U. S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, who represents Georgia’s 11th district, which includes Woodstock

“My heart is broken after the tragic violence in Atlanta that took eight lives. Once again we see that hate is deadly. Praying for the families of the victims and for peace for the community.”

Georgia U. S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, on social media

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, as well as the entire AAPI community in Georgia and across the country who have been heavily targeted with racism and hate. An attack on our Asian American neighbors is an attack on us all, and will not go ignored or unanswered.”

U. S. Rep. Nikema Williams of Atlanta, who also chairs the Democratic Party of Georgia