Following is an update from the Chapel Hill Police Department about its investigation into last night’s shooting that occurred off campus. The University will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 11, 2015
Contact: Lt Josh Mecimore (919) 968-2866
UPDATE – Shooting Investigation on Summerwalk Circle
At 5:11 PM yesterday, Chapel Hill Police Officers responded to a report of gunshots in the area of Summerwalk Circle in Chapel Hill. When officers arrived, they located three subjects who had been shot. All three subjects were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Chapel Hill Police Department has arrested Craig Stephen Hicks, 46 years of age, of 270 Summerwalk Circle, Chapel Hill. Mr. Hicks has been charged with 3 counts of 1st Degree Murder for the murders of;
– Deah Shaddy Barakat 23 years of age of Chapel Hill,
– Yusor Mohammad 21 years of age of Chapel Hill, and
– Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha 19 years of age of Raleigh.
Mr. Hicks is currently being held, without bond, in the Durham County Jail.
Our preliminary investigation indicates that the crime was motivated by an ongoing neighbor dispute over parking. Hicks is cooperating with investigators and more information may be released at a later time.
“Our investigators are exploring what could have motivated Mr. Hicks to commit such a senseless and tragic act. 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. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these young people who lost their lives so needlessly,” said Chief Chris Blue of the Chapel Hill Police Department.
About Informational Messages: The University sends an Informational Message to inform the campus community about a situation that is not an emergency, but is expected to be of significant interest to the campus. An Informational Message is one of three tiers of communication under the University’s revised emergency communications plan. Emergency Warning refers to a siren activation for a significant emergency. And a Timely Warning is issued if there is a continuing danger AND notification will not compromise law enforcement efforts.Sponsored by the UNC Department of Public Safety