Feb 11, 2015 10:25 AM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

A 46-year-old man is facing first-degree murder charges for shooting and killing three young students in North Carolina, presumably because they were Muslims.

According to CNN, Craig Stephen Hicks is being held at the Durham County Jail for shooting and killing Deah Barakat, 23, Yusor Mohammad, 21, and Razan Mohammad, 19. Police officers responded to reports of gunfire Tuesday evening at an apartment complex near the University of North Carolina (UNC) - Chapel Hill, at which time they found the three victims.

Hicks turned himself in later that night. His Facebook page indicates he is an atheist and he reportedly has several photos and posts mocking organized religion.

The apartment building is home to many students, as Barakat was in his second year at the UNC School of Dentistry, a program Yusor Mohammad, his wife, was going to start in the fall. Razan Mohammad, Yusor's younger sister, was a student at North Carolina State University.

WRAL, CNN's local affiliate, cited unnamed sources who said all three victims were shot in the head.

"Based on the brutal nature of this crime, the past anti-religion statements of the alleged perpetrator, the religious attire of two of the victims and the rising anti-Muslim rhetoric in American society, we urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to quickly address speculation of a possible bias motive in this case," Council on American-Islamic Relations National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement. "Our heartfelt condolences go to the families and loved ones of the victims and to the local community."

Ahmed Salim told NBC News he met Barakat at an event for the UNC Muslim Students Association.

"Everything you can think of as an American, everything a parent would be proud of their child for, that's what he was," Salim said. "He was always thinking about other people and always smiling.

"Everyone who knew him loved him - that's why I just couldn't believe it when I heard the news."

A Facebook page called "Our Three Winners" has been set up in the victims' memory and to provide information and updates.

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