DHAKA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised US President Barack Obama for his silence over the murder of three Muslim students in the US.

He said politicians were responsible for events in their countries and had to clarify their stance over them, reports The BBC.

According to the report, more than 5,000 people attended the funeral of the students who were shot dead in North Carolina on Tuesday.

On the other hand, with a suspect in custody, police are still investigating the motive, amid family claims it was a hate crime.

The shootings took place in the town of Chapel Hill. Initial indications are that the gunman, Craig Hicks, acted in a dispute with the victims over a parking space, according to the police.

A district prosecutor said on Wednesday there was no evidence that the victims - Deah Shaddy Barakat, wife Yusor Mohammad and her sister Razan - had been targeted because of their faith.

However, at Thursday's funeral, the local police chief said his force would investigate every lead, including the possibility of a hate crime.

The murders have resonated both within US and around the world, especially on social media. The hashtag ChapelHillShooting has been used hundreds of thousands of times.

BDST: 1601 HRS, FEB 13, 2015