Three family members were shot dead by a lone gunman at an apartment complex near the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, authorities said Wednesday.

Second-year dentistry student Deah Bakarat, 23, his wife Yusor Mohammad, 21, and her sister Razan Mohammad, 19, were found dead at the scene after they were shot by Craig Stephen Hicks, 46.

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The bodies of the three victims were discovered by policemen who responded to reports of gunfire just after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.

The motive of the shooting was not immediately disclosed. The suspect has been charged with triple murder.

Family members, however, disclosed that they have had problems with Hicks in the past, although they did not elaborate.

It was also not immediately known how the suspect was arrested but officials said Hicks was being held in the Durham County Jail.

Yusor Mohammad planned to start dentistry school this fall while Razaan was a student at North Carolina State University.

Friends and family said Deah and Yusor were raising money to travel to Turkey to provide dental care to Syrian refuges.

The condo complex where the shootings occurred is home to many UNC graduate students.

Cancellor Carol L. Folt of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said the entire university met the news with deep sadness.

Hill was set to issue a message today.

TagsNorth Carolina Shooting, Chapel Hill Shooting