Atheist Murders (3) Muslim North Carolina Students. Speculation of a Hate Crime

[GroundSupport]

North Carolina man charged in shooting death of 3 Muslim students



A man who portrayed himself as an avowed atheist on social media was in custody early Wednesday after allegedly gunning down three Muslim students in a condominium complex near the University of North Carolina hours earlier.

Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder after turning himself in to police in Chapel Hill overnight. Police have not given a motive for the triple homicide, although a Facebook page in Hicks' name described him as a supporter of “Atheists for Equality” and in a recent post he asked “why radical Christians and radical Muslims are so opposed to each others’ influence when they agree about so many ideological issues.” The victims' religion and Hicks' outspoken beliefs fueled broad online speculation that the murders were a hate crime.

Those killed were Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23; his wife, Yusor Abu-Salha, 21; and her sister, Raleigh, N.C. resident Razan Abu-Salha, Chapel Hill Police said in a statement.


Barakat was studying dentistry at the University of North Carolina, while his wife and sister-in-law were attending North Carolina State University, according to the Raleigh News-Observer.

People react at the scene of a shooting in Chapel Hill that left three dead Tuesday evening. pic.twitter.com/ghqAsRDVLJ
— Al Drago (@Al_Drago) February 11, 2015

Chapel Hill police found the victims dead at the scene after responding to a report of gunshots at a condominium complex at 5:11 p.m. Tuesday. Hicks is being held at Durham County Jail without bond. All three were shot in the head, authorities said.

Barakat and Abu-Salha were married Dec. 27, according to the Raleigh News-Observer. She had attended high school in Raleigh, and was on track to graduate from college in December with a degree in biological sciences, according to a North Carolina State University news release. Her sister was studying architecture and environmental design at North Carolina State.

Barakat, a Syrian-American, had majored in business administration and management at North Carolina State before enrolling at UNC-Chapel Hill two years ago to pursue his doctorate in dental surgery. He and his new wife worked for a charity that provided dental care to people in the United States and the Middle East. A Facebook post by Barakat dated Jan. 29 detailed a Durham project that provided dental supplies and food to homeless people this year.

He and 10 other dental students at the school were scheduled to go to Turkey in the summer, where they were going to treat Syrian refugees as part of a project organized by UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and the Syrian-American Medical Society. Hours after the murders, more than $8,200 had been donated to the online campaign for "Project: Refugee Smiles."

The Facebook page believed to belong to the suspect said he was a paralegal studies student at Durham Technical Community College. The page's author described himself as a fan of Thomas Paine’s "The Age of Reason" and atheist author Richard Dawkins’ "The God Delusion."

In one online post, Hicks allegedly wrote: "When it comes to insults, your religion started this, not me. If your religion kept its big mouth shut, so would I."

UNC Chancellor Carol Folt is expected to issue a statement sometime Wednesday. Meanwhile, the school issued a statement.

"We are sensitive to the impact an incident of this nature has on campus and in the community," the school said. "We understand you want to know the facts as quickly as possible. At the same time, we must respect the job our Chapel Hill police have as they investigate this crime."

[duane1969]

Impossible. Atheist are peaceful, fun-loving, open-minded, friendly individuals...just ask Alex

[GroundSupport]

I do find it interesting that Foxnews has this up as a top story, and CNN seems to be ignoring it.

[ajcorleone]

People who murder come from all walks an religions. Yes I know it is hard to believe that it is not only Christians who murder but it happens.

[duane1969]

I do find it interesting that Foxnews has this up as a top story, and CNN seems to be ignoring it.

CNN has it as their lead story now. They like to play follow the leader.

Kind of funny, but it shows just how liberal media agencies spin stuff. The CNN article says at the start of paragraph two "Police haven't said what may have compelled the accused..." when we do know what may have compelled him. Then at the bottom of the article (the part most people never get to) it says "In one post widely shared online, Hicks, who claimed he is an atheist, allegedly wrote: "When it comes to insults, your religion started this, not me. If your religion kept its big mouth shut, so would I." CNN couldn't independently confirm the authenticity of the post or his Facebook page."

So they give the implication that there is no idea why he did it, then casually mention at the end of the article that he may have had liberal ideals and then kind of discredit that notion immediately after. In the immortal words of veggie...SMH

[jrawk1120]

I don't believe this for one second. An atheist wouldn't murder someone for believing in religion.

[GroundSupport]

CNN has it as their lead story now. They like to play follow the leader.

Kind of funny, but it shows just how liberal media agencies spin stuff. The CNN article says at the start of paragraph two "Police haven't said what may have compelled the accused..." when we do know what may have compelled him. Then at the bottom of the article (the part most people never get to) it says "In one post widely shared online, Hicks, who claimed he is an atheist, allegedly wrote: "When it comes to insults, your religion started this, not me. If your religion kept its big mouth shut, so would I." CNN couldn't independently confirm the authenticity of the post or his Facebook page."

So they give the implication that there is no idea why he did it, then casually mention at the end of the article that he may have had liberal ideals and then kind of discredit that notion immediately after. In the immortal words of veggie...SMH

A liberal atheist murdering/executing muslims for their religion? Yah, this won't be a story come tomorrow. The left can't have this.

[GroundSupport]

CNN is such a joke.

On their front page they're saying

"Dispute over Parking may have led to shootings"


Misinform the uninformed CNN. Keep up to good work.

[Star_Cards]

No matter the motivation this story is sick. I've heard possible motivations of religious beliefs being an issue and a report of police thinking that it could have been over parking. Either way what a waste of three young lives. It will be interesting to see why this guy says he murdered all three of these people.

[deansayso]

CNN is such a joke.

On their front page they're saying

"Dispute over Parking may have led to shootings"


Misinform the uninformed CNN. Keep up to good work.

Your beloved Fox news is now saying it was over a parking spot. Stupid CNN!