Son Of Atlanta Shooting Victim Remembers His Mom As His Best Friend And Calls To #StopAsianHate
Randy Park, the son of Hyun Jung Grant—a victim of the tragic Atlanta mass shooting that occurred on March 16—recently took to Instagram to remember the honorable life that his mother lived.
In the post, he expressed anger at Robert Aaron Long (21), the suspect arrested for the death of eight people including his mother. He shared how unjust it is that his “strongest pillar” was taken away from his family.
I lost my mother last night. I don’t know how much info I even want to release about what happened but it’s on the news as most have seen. She was the strongest pillar in life for my brother and I and to lose her to scum fills me with hate that doesn’t encompass even a fraction of what that stain on humanity holds.
— Randy Park
Randy described the pain he feels at knowing his mother was robbed of the chance to watch her sons go through all their important milestones in life.
She lived her whole life only to support her two sons all on her own and to see her taken away from us like this is unfair. I can’t describe how I feel. She’ll never get to see my brother and I get married, own homes, graduate college, and see her grandchildren.
— Randy Park
In a GoFundMe linked to his Instagram page, he further recounted the life of Hyun Jung Grant, sharing how she was a single mother whose life fully revolved around her two sons.
My mother, Hyun Jung Grant (maiden name Kim), was one of the victims of the shootings in Atlanta, Georgia at Gold Spa. This is something that should never happen to anyone. She was a single mother who dedicated her whole life to providing for my brother and I. It is only my brother and I in the United States. The rest of my family is in South Korea and are unable to come.
— Randy Park
Her passing was one that he felt acutely since she was one of his best friends. Unfortunately, he revealed that he does not have the opportunity to grieve at his own pace as he now has to secure the immediate needs of himself and his brother.
She was one of my best friends and the strongest influence on who we are today. Losing her has put a new lens on my eyes on the amount of hate that exists in our world. As much as I want to grieve and process the reality that she is gone, I have a younger brother to take care of and matters to resolve as a result of this tragedy. Frankly, I have no time to grieve for long. I will need to figure out the living situation for my brother and I for the next few months, possibly [a] year. As of now I have been advised to move out of my current home within the end of March to save money and find a new place to live.
— Randy Park
Concluding his Instagram message, he touched on the widespread racism and increasing hate crimes against Asian Americans since the pandemic began.
As of now I’m looking for any direction, advice and spreading awareness to the reality we live in. It really is disappointing to see how much hate there is. Again if anyone knows anybody that had the misfortune to be in a situation like this that could inform me on how to go on I would appreciate the help. And to fellow Asian Americans please stay safe. #stopasianhate
— Randy Park
Randy reminded his audience, “Please everyone just stay safe and check up on your friends and loved ones that may feel endangered.”
Hyun Jung Grant was one of six Asian women who were killed by Robert Aaron Long in three separate Atlanta spa shootings. The Asian American community grieved for their deaths and protested for justice.
Celebrities Rally To #StopAsianHate Following Atlanta Shootings That Killed 6 Asian Women
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