Five dead in Georgia spa shooting

NORCROSS, Ga. -- A gunman walked into the Su Jung Health Sauna, argued with someone and then opened fire, killing two of his sisters and their husbands, then himself, authorities said yesterday.

The carnage could have been worse -- about 20 people were inside the bathhouse Tuesday when the shooting started near the front of the brick building decked out with white columns and white Greek-style statues. Four people were found dead inside, and another was taken to a hospital before being pronounced dead, police said.

Surveillance video from a nearby Norcross shopping center showed a man who Norcross police Capt. Brian Harr said had been asked earlier to leave the spa because he was being disruptive. Police were not called.

A few hours later, around 8:30 p.m., the man returned shooting, Harr said. Investigators believe the person who asked the gunman to leave was among the dead. A .45-caliber gun was recovered.

Su Jung is one of several day spas about 15 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, where there is a large Korean population. The spas bill themselves as modeled on traditional Korean bathhouses, offering a mix of saunas, massage therapy, beauty treatments and cafes with predominantly Korean food.

Harr said authorities turned to the Korean Consulate to help contact the victims' family members in Korea and were not going to release names until they were identified. -- AP