Three Palestinian Descent Students Wounded in Vermont Shooting, Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

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In a disturbing incident in Vermont, three college students of Palestinian heritage were gravely injured during a weekend shooting. The suspect, Jason J. Eaton, 48, pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder in his initial court appearance. Held without bail, his case is under scrutiny as a potential hate crime.

The U.S. Department of Justice and Vermont officials are probing the shooting’s nature, particularly amidst rising threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities in the U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed concern over the growing fear in these communities.

The victims, aged 20, were visiting a relative in Burlington during their Thanksgiving break when they encountered a gunman. Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad detailed the unprovoked nature of the attack, where two students were shot in the torso and one in the lower body.

Rich Price, an uncle of one victim, admired the resilience and spirit of the young men amid their ordeal. The Institute for Middle East Understanding relayed a statement from the victims’ families, calling for a thorough investigation and justice.

Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, the injured students, have been friends since first grade. They are currently studying at prominent U.S. colleges and were described as exceptional students by Rania Ma’ayeh, head of their alma mater.

Eaton, who had recently moved to Burlington from Syracuse and legally purchased the weapon used in the shooting, was apprehended by federal agents. Despite his extensive involvement in police reports, he had never been listed as a suspect.

The shooting, which took place without warning, raises concerns about a hate crime, particularly as the victims were conversing in Arabic and wearing Palestinian keffiyehs. However, evidence to substantiate a hate crime charge is still pending.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, President Joe Biden, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and Vermont Governor Phil Scott have all condemned the shooting. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the U.S. due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The shooting in Burlington is part of a worrying trend of increased violence in the area, with the city experiencing a significant rise in shootings compared to previous years.

This tragic event has prompted calls for a change in the discourse surrounding Palestinians and highlights the need for empathy and understanding towards them.

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More about Vermont shooting incident

• Vermont Shooting: Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
• U.S. Department of Justice Investigating Vermont Shooting
• Profiles of the Victims in Vermont Shooting
• Response from Officials and Community to Vermont Shooting