Self-Proclaimed Atheist Charged After Gunning Down Muslim University Students

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. Aself-described anti-theist has been charged with three counts of murder after gunning down three Muslims near the University of North Carolina campus on Tuesday.

Craig Hicks, 46, turned himself into the Chatham County Sheriffs Office following the execution-style shooting that took the lives of Deah Barakat, 23, and his wife Yusor Abu-Salha, 21, as well as Abu-Salhas sister Razan. Barakat was studying at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry and his wife was set to attend the school in the fall.

Hicks had regularly shared posts about atheism on his social media page, noting himself to be a supporter of Atheists for Equality and a fan of the TV show The Atheist Experience, as well as Richard Dawkins The God Delusion.

Of course I want religion to go away, his Facebook cover reads. I dont deny you your right to believe whatever youd like, but I have the right to point out its ignorant and dangerous for as long as your baseless superstitions keep killing people.

On Sunday, Hicks shared a photograph about the alleged commonalities between radical Christians and radical Muslims, and late last month, he shared a quotefrom the page Militant Atheism for the Soul. He had also recently posted a photograph of his loaded 38 revolver with five extra rounds in a speedloader.

Police outlined on Wednesday that initial findings appeared to indicate that Tuesdaysshooting, which took the lives of Hicks Muslim neighbors, occurred over a parking dispute. However, they have not yet ruled out whether religion played a role in the incident and are further investigating the matter.

Our investigators are exploring what could have motivated Mr. Hicks to commit such a senseless and tragic act, Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue said in a statement. We understand the concerns about the possibility that this was hate-motivated and we will exhaust every lead to determine if that is the case.

Hicks wife spoke during a press conference and asserted that her husband did not target Barakat and his wife and sister-in-law because of his opposition to religion.

I can say with my absolute belief that this incident had nothing to do with religion or victims faith, but in fact was related to the long-standing parking disputes that my husband had with the neighbors, she stated.We were married for seven years, and that is one thing that I do know about him.

But the family of the victims contend otherwise.

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Self-Proclaimed Atheist Charged After Gunning Down Muslim University Students