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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
But the family of the victims contend otherwise. <\/p>\n
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Continued here: <\/p>\n
Self-Proclaimed Atheist Charged After Gunning Down Muslim University Students<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CHAPEL HILL, N.C. Continue reading