DHAKA: Police have arrested a gunman in the killing of three people in the town of Chapel Hill in North Carolina.

US news reports said, according to The Straits Times.

The shooter, identified as Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, was being held in Durham County Jail on three counts of first-degree murder, the Chapel Hill News & Observer newspaper said.

It said the victims were identified as Chapel Hill residents Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife Yusor Abu-Salha, 21; and her sister, Razan Abu-Salha, 19, of Raleigh.

Hicks turned himself in, news reports said. Police have not said what the motive of the shooting was. Police in Chapel Hill were not immediately available for comment.

BDST: 1757 HRS, FEB 11, 2015