Chapel Hill shooting: Craig Hicks indicted on three counts of murder

A North Carolina grand jury has indicted suspect Craig Hicks on three counts of murder in the shootings of three young Muslim students in Chapel Hill.

Police say that Craig Hicks, 46, carried out the shootings as a result of a parking dispute.

However, they have not ruled out the possibility that the killings may have been motivated by religious hatred.

At least 12 firearms were taken from Craig Hicks’s home after he handed himself in to be arrested, police say.

Craig Hicks is reported to have described himself online as a “gun-toting” atheist.

Family members reported that Craig Hicks had previously “picked on” the married couple.

However, his wife Karen said the incident, which has drawn international condemnation, had nothing to do with religion and her husband treated everyone equally.

Deah Shaddy Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and her sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha were found dead a week ago in their Chapel Hill flat near the University of North Carolina, where Barakat was a dental student.

Craig Hicks, a neighbor, is scheduled to appear in court accused of murder on March 4. He remains in jail without bail.

More than 5,000 people attended a funeral on February 12 for the three students.