CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina — Thousands gathered Wednesday evening on the University of North Carolina's Chapel Hill campus in memory of three people shot and killed in their nearby home. Police are investigating whether the Tuesday triple-murder can be considered a hate crime.
An attorney for the alleged killer, Craig Stephen Hicks, who has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, and Hicks' wife of seven years, have both said a fight over parking led to the shootings, while family members of the Muslim victims are convinced religion played a role. Hicks, 46, is an atheist.
The death of the victims, Deah Barakat and his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and her sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, still seemed unreal for many at the vigil, where the massive crowd spread out across a large courtyard, with some attendees pressed up against the walls of nearby buildings.
The vigil crowd is easily in the thousands. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/QYiPyPDN9F— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) February 11, 2015
View from the opposite end of the vigil. Crowd is pressed up against about five buildings. pic.twitter.com/E0Oy0pLtnw— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) February 12, 2015
"I reached for my phone so many times to text him today," Deah Barakat's brother, Farris, said as he addressed the crowd from a stage featuring a large screen with rotating photos of the victims. Attendees hugged each other and wiped away tears as the vigil progressed. Many left flowers near the podium where family members spoke.
A slideshow of the students who were killed is cycling through photos on stage. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/jyE3nEAvpp— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) February 12, 2015
Barakat was a 23-year-old dental student. Abu-Salha was a 21-year-old North Carolina State University graduate with a biological sciences degree who planned to enroll in dentistry school at UNC in the fall. Her sister, 19, was studying architecture and environmental design at North Carolina State University.
#ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/xxBbiSrfJz— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) February 12, 2015
Barakat's sister, Suzanne, urged the crowd to live by the victims' example. The victims were known for their charity work and were called role models by other students.
"Let's live their lives by carrying out their legacy," his sister said.
Flowers at the foot of the podium where family members just spoke. #ChapelHillShooting pic.twitter.com/wRqSQ5NfVw— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) February 12, 2015
Friends of Yusor Mohammed Abu-Salha remembered her as an uplifting person, as people who knew her husband recalled his friendly nature. The couple married in December.
"She was wonderful, she was very positive," Tanya Asara, talking about Yusor. #ChapelHillShooting— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) February 12, 2015
"Even if you didn't know Deah, he'd always walk up to you like he knew you for 10 years," Muneeb Mustafa, on right. pic.twitter.com/pvzjPqWDvu— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) February 12, 2015
A probable cause hearing for Hicks is scheduled for March 4, according to The Associated Press.