Three Palestinian college students were shot in Burlington, Vermont, sparking investigations into the incident as a potential hate crime. The victims, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, were students at Brown University, Haverford College, and Trinity College respectively. They were visiting Burlington for Thanksgiving when the incident occurred.
The accused shooter, Jason J. Eaton, pleaded not guilty to attempted second-degree murder charges. If convicted, Eaton faces up to life in prison. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, with federal prosecutors also looking into whether the shooting may have been a hate crime. This speculation is due to the fact that two of the victims were wearing keffiyehs, scarfs symbolizing Palestinian solidarity, at the time of the incident.
Awartani's family had decided he should remain in the U.S. during the war in Gaza, believing he would be safer than in Palestine. However, Awartani was severely injured in the shooting and doctors believe he may not be able to use his legs again. Despite the severity of their injuries, the victims are expected to survive and are showing resilience and strength.
In response to the incident, Brown University students held a vigil for their classmate, Hisham Awartani. The community has shown immense support for the victims during this difficult time.
The police found a .38-caliber handgun and a loaded magazine containing five rounds of distinctive red-tipped ammunition in Eaton's apartment. The gun had been purchased recently and legally. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.