Calls for Charlie Hebdo-style anti-terror marches as three Muslims shot dead in US

Police responded to reports of gunshots at an apartment block east of the University of North Carolina around 10:15pm GMT (5:15 p.m local time) last night and found three people who were pronounced dead at the scene.

The deceased were identified as Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife Yusor Mohammad, 21, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19.

Mr Barakat was believed to have been a dental student at the University of North Carolina and had previously volunteered with a charity who provide dental care to children in Palestine.

His sister-in-law, Ms Abu-Salha, started a degree in Architecture and Environmental Design at the North Carolina State University last summer.

A 46-year-old man, named by Chapel Hill police as Craig Stephen Hicks, was arrested and has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

He is currently being held at the Durham County Jail and police said the investigation was continuing.

Outraged people from around the world soon took to Twitter to express their disgust over the attack, with some claiming the victims had been "murdered execution style".

The tragic slaughter also sparked the hashtag #MuslimLivesMatter and saw users questioning what role the students' faith may have played in the incident.

However, a local website in North Carolina state capital Raleigh reported that Chapel Hill officers were investigating whether an ongoing dispute over parking may have led to the shooting.

While posting pictures of the victims, several Twitter users called on US President Barack Obama to condemn the attacks while others compared it to the barbaric Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris last month.

"I want to see protests, I want to see news coverage, I want to see marches, I want the same outrage expressed in France. #ChapelHillShooting" said one user.

"We expect that Obama or American officials participate in protests to condemn the murder of 3 young innocent Muslims. #ChapelHillShooting" tweeted another.

Another added: "World leaders must gather to condemn #ChapelHillShooting as they did for victims of the Charlie Hebdo murders."

"My heart goes out to the families affected by the #ChapelHillShooting and I hope swift justice will be served," posted another.

A Facebook page called 'Our Three Winners' has been set up in memory of the three victims and said it would post "official announcements".

It is not clear who set up the page, but it is expected that details of the victim's funerals will be posted there.

One statement on the site read: "Please rely on each other and remember these beautiful souls in your happy thoughts.

"Their faith meant a lot to them, and it is in fact what helps us all feel at peace with the tragedy of their murder.”

Last night, one resident in North Carolina descried the area where the building took place as a "really quiet community".

Bethany Boring told the Daily Tarheel: "It’s a really quiet community, a lot of graduate students, professionals and families. I thought it was pretty safe."

The University of North Carolina reportedly told students last night that counselling sessions would be available to help those feeling "unsettled".

Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue said in a statement: "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."