The victims in the triple homicide have been identified as Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19.
Police responded to a call about gunshots in the family's apartment complex at 5:11 pm Tuesday. The discovered the bodies of the victims, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
Several neighbors told The Daily Tar Heel student daily that that had not even been aware of the shooting.
Kristen Boling, a student at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who lives in the complex, told the paper she arrived home at 3:45 pm but didn't hear or see anything until after police arrived.
"It was a regular day when I got off the bus," she said. "Now it's chaos and confusion and they're not telling us what's going on."
A 46-year-old man identified by police as Craig Stephen Hicks turned himself in late Tuesday night. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of three counts of first degree murder.
Police have yet to comment on what might have compelled Hicks to carry out the attack, though there has been some speculation on social media it was a hate crime. Hicks is a self-described atheist who regularly posted content critical of religion on his Facebook account.
According to US media, Hicks allegedly wrote in one post: "When it comes to insults, your religion started this, not me. If your religion kept its big mouth shut, so would I." The quote in question was paraphrased from Pat Condell, an Irish comedian and atheist internet personality.
The shooting has elicited a strong response on social media.
Chris Rock, one of the United States most popular stand-up comics, retweeted a photograph of the victims providing food and dental supplies to the homeless.
Muslim victims were recently seen providing free dental & food supplies to the poor & homeless. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/Zr6ShqCZ6x— Chris Rock (@ozchrisrock) February 11, 2015
this sums up american news media #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/btJcAx67bi — Chris Rock (@ozchrisrock) February 11, 2015
If this had been a Muslim shooter killing 3 atheists the headlines screaming TERROR ATTACK would be on every front page. #ChapelHillShooting — le estate secret (@onekade) February 11, 2015
If this situation was reversed, the media would be all over this terrible tragedy!!
#ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/KFqTlawdTr — Abdul Haq (@Abdulhaq_22) February 11, 2015
The #ChapelHillShooting would be #BreakingNews if the killer identified himself with Islam. Media forgets that the 3 killed were Americans. — Boutaïna Azzabi (@Boutaina) February 11, 2015
Deah Barakat wanted to spread a smile, this is last post on his FB Profile, he was killed in NC #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/6gw1JhHG8J — صباح حمامو (@SabahHamamou) February 11, 2015
According to the regional daily The News & Observer, Yusor was scheduled to graduate in December with a degree in biological sciences from NCSU, according to a university statement.
Barakat, a Syrian-American, studied business administration and management at NCSU before enrolling at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2013 to pursue his doctorate in dental surgery. Razan was studying architecture and environmental design at NCSU.
Alleged atheist executed this Muslim couple & her sister. Religion isn't the enemy. Evil is. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/jXaTxzrMV9 — LZ Granderson (@Locs_n_Laughs) February 11, 2015
Deah and Yusor were married on December 27, and appeared to be vibrant and active members of their community.
Barakat was planning to travel with 10 other dentists this summer to Reyhanli, Turkey, where they planned to treat Syrian refugee students for urgent dental work and distribute toothbrushes and toothpaste. He had organized a fundraising campaign for the trip, which has so far collected over $25,000 for the cause.
You are correct that if the tables were turned and this was a young 'white' family or 'jewish' family then the media would be screaming this morning. I don't hear or read a friggin' thing.
I am Seething with anger. Yet where to direct it?