Three members of a Muslim family have died following a shooting Tuesday in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Police said Craig Stephen Hicks, the primary suspect, allegedly shot the victims over a parking dispute, but authorities said they would investigate "concerns about the possibility that this was hate-motivated."
Each of the victims, Deah Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, were just embarking on the first stage of their adult lives. These are their stories.
Deah Barakat, age 23.
Yusor Mohammad, age 21.
In December 2014, Yusor married Deah and graduated cum laude with a degree in biological sciences from North Carolina State. Last summer, she traveled to Turkey to help provide dental relief to the needy as part of "Project: Refugee Smiles." Officials at UNC Chapel Hill say she planned to start dental school in the fall.
Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, age 19.
"Thank you for your prayers. Our families aren't shouldering the burden alone. So much support has poured in from so many great people," reads a post on "Our Three Winners," a Facebook page established in the memory of the three victims.
"Many, many amazing people have condemned this crime from across the world including many random people who seem to want to apologize for the heinous acts of this man. Muslims know all too well that the actions of few may not define the masses. Love shall overcome."
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H/T BuzzFeed