8 people have been killed in 3 linked shootings in Atlanta - here's what happened

Eight people have died after shootings at three massage parlours in Atlanta and its suburbs, police have said.

The first attack began around 5pm local time (9pm GMT) on Tuesday 16 March at Youngs Asian Massage Parlour in the small city of Acworth, about 30 miles north of Atlanta.

Two people died at the scene, with a further three casualties transported to a nearby hospital, where two of them also died.

Almost an hour later, police responding to reports of a robbery in progress in the Buckhead neighbourhood of Atlanta found three women dead from gunshot wounds at Gold Spa, another massage parlour.

As they attended the scene, they received another report of shots fired at Aromatherapy Spa, located just across the street. Responding to that second call, authorities found a woman who appeared to have been shot dead inside the business.