Three College Students Killed in Quiet College Town
The North Carolina Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released the below statement in response to yesterday’s tragic shooting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
While details are still unfolding, news outlets are reporting that a 46-year-old man shot and killed three college students at a nearby condominium complex at 5:11 p.m. yesterday. The victims, Deah Barakat, 23; Barakat’s wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21; and Abu-Salha’s sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, were pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in the head.
STATEMENT FROM KAAREN HALDEMAN, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION:
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. While details are still unfolding, we know the tragedy last night cut short the lives of three smart young people whose parents will never get to see them fulfill their life aspirations. This tragic shooting shows us once again how gun violence is robbing our country of promising young adults at the apex of their lives. Sadly, gun violence is not new to our community and yesterday served as a harsh reminder that gun violence can strike any community, at any time. This is precisely why we must stand together to honor the families and pledge to do more to help prevent gun violence in our communities. Our children’s lives depend on it.”
ADDITIONAL DETAILS AVAILABLE ABOUT THE SHOOTING:
Incident:
- At 5:11pm on Tuesday, February 10, Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, shot and killed Deah Barakat, 23; Barakat’s wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21; and Yusor’s sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, inside a condominium complex on Summerwalk Circle in Chapel Hill.
- Police responding to a report of gunshots in the area located the three victims who had been shot. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
- Hicks turned himself in without incident to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office in nearby Pittsboro after the shooting. He was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, and is currently being held in the Durham County Jail. Police are investigating whether his crime was bias-motivated.
- Though neither police nor university officials have released any information about a motive, news reports quote friends of the victims suggesting that they were targeted for their Muslim faith.
Gunman:
- The gunman was identified as Craig Stephen Hicks, 46.
Victims:
- Deah Barakat, 23, was shot and killed. He was in his second year at UNC’s School of Dentistry.
- Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, was also shot and killed. She was scheduled to begin dental studies at UNC in the fall.
- Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, was also shot and killed. She was a student at North Carolina State University.
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand