(LIVONIA, MI) — An Orthodox priest from Michigan is condemning the Chapel Hill massacre and calling on religious leaders to unify in memory of the three Muslim students killed.
The students, who attended the University of North Carolina, were found dead Tuesday night after a 46-year-old gunman shot them execution style in the head outside of their condominium complex.
Father George Shalhoub of the Basilica of Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox church in Livonia, Mich. said he was “heartbroken” by the news.
“It is with great sadness and human brokenness; we heard of the Chapel Hill massacre and saw the lives of three young people knocked away by the hand of an outraged man,” he said.
The victims were identified as Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, of Chapel Hill, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha Barakat, 21, of Chapel Hill, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, of Raleigh.
Deah Barakat, a dental school student, was planning a medical mission trip Syria to aid Syrian refugees next summer.
Shalhoub, who is of Syrian descent, said the world lost “dreamers, scientists, (and) peacemakers” through the tragedy.
“This vicious act of violence and inhumanity, whether at the hands of the military, terrorists or hate groups, must be dealt with the strongest reaction in awakening human consciousness to live as God has asked us to be — peacemakers, good neighbors and bridge builders,” he said.
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