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Thousands mourn Chapel Hill shooting victims Thousands mourn Chapel Hill shooting victims
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of mourners have gathered for the funeral of three Muslim students killed in North Carolina.Thousands of mourners have gathered for the funeral of three Muslim students killed in North Carolina.
The father of two of the victims addressed the crowd and said they had been victims of a hate crime. The father of two of the victims told the crowd they were victims of a hate crime and his pain was indescribable.
His daughters and son-in-law were shot dead at their home in Chapel Hill, and their neighbour charged with murder.His daughters and son-in-law were shot dead at their home in Chapel Hill, and their neighbour charged with murder.
Police say initial indications suggest there was a parking space dispute but they are investigating whether Craig Hicks was motivated by religious hate.Police say initial indications suggest there was a parking space dispute but they are investigating whether Craig Hicks was motivated by religious hate.
Hicks gave himself up to police and has been charged with killing Deah Shaddy Barakat, wife Yusor Mohammad and her sister Razan.Hicks gave himself up to police and has been charged with killing Deah Shaddy Barakat, wife Yusor Mohammad and her sister Razan.
After a private ceremony with family members, the funeral was held at the athletic fields of North Carolina State University where all three had been a student. Police estimated 5,500 people were in attendance. The BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan said many mourners feel the murders were sparked by something far deeper than a parking row.
Chapel High police chief, Chris Blue, spoke at the service and promised his officers would investigate every lead, including the possibility of hate crime, our correspondent adds.
After a private ceremony with family members in Raleigh, the funeral was held at the athletic fields of North Carolina State University where all three had been a student. Police estimated 5,500 people were in attendance.
At the service's end, about a dozen people carried each to hearses, which headed to an Islamic cemetery outside Raleigh.At the service's end, about a dozen people carried each to hearses, which headed to an Islamic cemetery outside Raleigh.
At the scene - Tara McKelvey, BBC NewsAt the scene - Tara McKelvey, BBC News
The funerals are over, and people are now heading to the burial site.The funerals are over, and people are now heading to the burial site.
"It was the biggest funeral I've ever been to," said Nisrin Shabin. "They kept coming, it was magical.""It was the biggest funeral I've ever been to," said Nisrin Shabin. "They kept coming, it was magical."
Ghada Salameh, says she attended the couple's wedding in December - and now their funeral. "I guess it is a hate crime."Ghada Salameh, says she attended the couple's wedding in December - and now their funeral. "I guess it is a hate crime."
Radmehr, a 15-year-old student whose family is originally from Iran, said: "I think it was probably against our religion."Radmehr, a 15-year-old student whose family is originally from Iran, said: "I think it was probably against our religion."
His father, Samad says: "I'm really not too religious but I felt bad for them. They were good people."His father, Samad says: "I'm really not too religious but I felt bad for them. They were good people."
Neighbours stunned by triple murderNeighbours stunned by triple murder
In pictures: Chapel Hill vigilsIn pictures: Chapel Hill vigils
#BBCTrending: Why activists believe it was a hate crime#BBCTrending: Why activists believe it was a hate crime
Mr Hicks' Facebook profile included a photo that read "Atheists for Equality". He also frequently posted quotes critical of religion.Mr Hicks' Facebook profile included a photo that read "Atheists for Equality". He also frequently posted quotes critical of religion.
Relatives of the victims believe it was a hate crime.
Mr Barakat's brother Farris told the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan that Hicks had threatened his brother and his family with a gun.
The father of the two sisters killed said Mr Hicks had killed them "execution style".
But Mr Hicks' wife Karen said the incident had nothing to do with religion and her husband treated everyone equally.But Mr Hicks' wife Karen said the incident had nothing to do with religion and her husband treated everyone equally.
A candlelit vigil was held at the University of North Carolina on Wednesday night.A candlelit vigil was held at the University of North Carolina on Wednesday night.
Barakat was a dental student at the university and his wife was planning to enrol in the school in the next term.Barakat was a dental student at the university and his wife was planning to enrol in the school in the next term.
Muslim and civil rights organisations are organising more vigils across the country for Thursday evening. The funerals are taking place in the neighbouring town of Raleigh. Muslim and civil rights organisations are organising more vigils across the country for Thursday evening.
Mr Hicks apparently had a history of conflicts with neighbours over parking spaces.Mr Hicks apparently had a history of conflicts with neighbours over parking spaces.
Michael Nam told the BBC that Mr Hicks once confronted him with a gun holstered on his hip.Michael Nam told the BBC that Mr Hicks once confronted him with a gun holstered on his hip.
The murders have resonated both within US and around the world, especially on social media. The hashtag #ChapelHillShooting has been used hundreds of thousands of times.The murders have resonated both within US and around the world, especially on social media. The hashtag #ChapelHillShooting has been used hundreds of thousands of times.
There has been criticism of a perceived lack of coverage in the mainstream media with the hashtag #MuslimLivesMatter mentioned almost 100,000 times in the day following the shooting.There has been criticism of a perceived lack of coverage in the mainstream media with the hashtag #MuslimLivesMatter mentioned almost 100,000 times in the day following the shooting.
Jane Weintraub, the dean of the University of North Carolina dental school, called Barakat "a bright light" who would be remembered for his "incredible heart for service" and "his leadership".Jane Weintraub, the dean of the University of North Carolina dental school, called Barakat "a bright light" who would be remembered for his "incredible heart for service" and "his leadership".
"I don't know what I'm going to do on Saturday mornings when it's time for family breakfast," Barakat's brother, Farris, told the candlelight vigil on Wednesday."I don't know what I'm going to do on Saturday mornings when it's time for family breakfast," Barakat's brother, Farris, told the candlelight vigil on Wednesday.
"We lost three great citizens of the world and of this country, but I think they've inspired thousands.""We lost three great citizens of the world and of this country, but I think they've inspired thousands."