Hate Crime? Man Charged with Murder for Gunning Down 3 Muslim American Students in N.C.

A 46-year-old man was charged with first degree murder for shooting to death three Muslim American students in Chapel Hill town in North Carolina on Tuesday.

Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, turned himself in to the police after killing Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23; his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21; and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19.

Chapel Hill Police responded to the scene at about 5:11 p.m. after a report of gunshots in Summerwalk Circle, Chapel Hill.

Hicks is being held without bond at the Durham County Jail but was moved to the Central Prison due to safety concerns, according to The News & Observer.

The Muslim community and friends and family of the three victims were stunned by the gruesome murders.

"Our preliminary investigation indicates that the crime was motivated by an ongoing neighbor dispute over parking," said the Chapel Hill Police, adding that Hicks is cooperating with the investigation.

Many believe that it was a hate crime and Chapel Hill Police chief Chris Blue said they will investigate it. "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," he said.

A vigil was held at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where the three students studied.

Barakat was a dentistry student at U.N.C.-Chapel Hill who graduated from North Carolina State University in 2013. His wife was recently accepted into North Carolina State's dentistry program after graduating from N.C. State last fall. Her sister, Razan, was a sophomore in the College of Design at N.C. State. Barakat and Abu-Salha got married a month ago.

The Barakat family is devastated by the murder. "We are devastated at the senseless murder of my brother Deah Barakat, his beautiful wife Yusor Abu-Salha and her sister Razan Abu-Salha," said the family in a statement posted on the N.C. State News website. "We are shocked that there would be anyone plagued with so much hate in their heart to execute three living human beings."

The family said Deah helped in raising funds for aid to Syrian refugees and feeding the homeless in the local area.

"They weren't just Americans, they were extraordinary Americans who loved their faith and their community. We call on the local police department, the F.B.I. and all other authorities to ensure that our family gets justice," the family said.

The Islamic Association of Raleigh in North Carolina and seven other Muslim groups and organizations are grieving over the murders. "These three young people were exemplary members of the community, contributing to various humanitarian causes, including helping provide free dental services to homeless people in the Triangle area, and working with international refugees," the statement read.

A Facebook page has been set up to honor the three victims. Funeral was scheduled on Thursday.