By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States of America – A shocking incident of violence against three Muslims near the campus of the University of North Carolina has generated a tense debate about why a neighbor gunned down these individuals, and whether religion played a role in the violent outburst.
A resident of Chapel Hill called 911 on Tuesday reporting five to 10 shots fired and the sound of people screaming. Police officers responded to the report around 5:15pm, and found the three victims, all pronounced dead at the scene. The victims, all shot in the head, were identified as Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife, Yusor Mohammad, 21, both of Chapel Hill, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, or Raleigh. All three victims were born United States citizens.
Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, turned himself in to authorities, and has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Mr. Hicks was a devout atheist and appeared to have a deep dislike of all religion. He openly expressed his beliefs on his Facebook page. Neighbor Samantha Maness described the suspect as “very angry,” and said that Hicks often complained about noise and parking. The killings set off a debate which echoed the #blacklivesmatter campaign.
Police Spokesman Lt. Joshua Mecimore said a preliminary investigation indicated that the crime was “motivated by an ongoing neighbor dispute over parking.” However, friends and relatives of the victims insist that the incident should be viewed as a hate crime. Durham District Attorney Echols said that he couldn’t discuss a motive. When asked whether Hicks could be charged with a hate crime, he said the facts of the case are still under investigation.
On the UNC campus Wednesday night, several thousand people attended a candlelight vigil for the victims. Imam Abdulla Antepli, a Duke university Islamic leader, said he has “full trust” that law enforcement officials would determine Hicks’ motives. “The incident immediately revealed the vulnerability of the Muslim community and the image and reputation of Islam as a religion and Muslims as people in Americas society at large.”
Hicks made a brief court appearance on Wednesday morning, saying that he understood the charges. His probable cause hearing was set for March 4 and he is being held without bond.
For more information, please see the following:
AL JAZEERA – Three Muslim Students Killed At North Carolina Campus – 11 Feb. 2015.
NEW YORK TIMES – In Chapel Hill Shooting Of 3 Muslims, A Question of Motive – 11 Feb. 2015.
WASHINGTON POST – Three Muslims Killed In Shooting Near UNC; Police, Family Argue Over Motive – 11 Feb. 2015.
USA TODAY – Chapel Hill ‘Rocked’ By Killings Of 3 Muslim Students – 12 Feb. 2015.
