Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles on Wednesday expressed condolences to the families of three Muslim American students who were shot dead on Tuesday at a residential complex of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The victims were Deah Shaddy Bakarat, his wife, Yusor Mohammad, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha.
Chapel Hill police said that they have arrested the suspect, Craig Stephen Hicks, and are investigating the possibility that the slayings were racially motivated.
“We join their families, friends and community in grieving the tragic and violent end to their young lives,” Advancing Justice-LA said in a statement.
“We understand that law enforcement is investigating whether religious hate played a role in the shooting. As a civil rights organization that stands against Islamophobia and has long advocated for victims, survivors and family members of hate-motivated killings and attacks, we urge law enforcement authorities to conduct a full investigation of bias motivations in this case.”
Members of the organization attended a vigil for the victims on Thursday night at the Islamic center of Southern California.
To report a hate crime or hate incident, contact the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division at (202) 514-4609. You can also contact Advancing Justice-LA at (213) 977-7500.