Vigil remembers slain students

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s been just over a week now since three students were gunned down in Chapel Hill. In Wilmington, local students gathered tonight to remember those students and honor their memory.

Questions surrounding the shooting of Deah Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha have ignited a conversation about religion and community in our state, and across the country.

Hundreds turned out to learn more about, “the three winners,” as they called them and share in remembering their spirit. The three students killed were Muslim but the crowd that turned out was a picture of diversity. The brother of the two women killed spoke to the crowd and offered a message of unity and support. All of this in hopes this shooting can be a beginning too.

“Their lives are something to be celebrated and their causes are something to be kept going. There shouldn’t be much mourning, it’s a tragedy but we need to come from this stonger and take comfort in everyone around us,” said Sydney Burton, a UNCW student.

Counselors and members of a variety of student groups kept the conversation going after the meeting too. In the wake of this tragedy these folks say the best way to honor those who were killed is to give more of yourself in whatever way you can.