On Nov. 27, three  Palestinian college students were out for a walk in Vermont when they were seriously shot by 48-year-old Jason J. Eaton, at up close range. The attack is currently being investigated as a possible hate crime according to authorities.

This tragic event describes a concerning incident in which three Palestinian college students were shot in Vermont, and the attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime.  Eaton, the alleged perpetrator, appeared in court on three counts of attempted murder, and investigations are underway to determine if the shooting is linked to rising threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Attorney General Merrick Garland acknowledged the fear in communities across the country.

Eaton made his first court appearance by video from jail on three counts of attempted murder, and a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf. He was ordered held without bail.

The U.S. Department of Justice, along with Vermont authorities, were investigating whether the shooting was a hate crime amid an increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities across the U.S. since the Israel-Hamas war began. 

“There is understandable fear in communities across the country,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

The three male students, all age 20, were spending their Thanksgiving break in Burlington, and were out for a walk while visiting one of the victims’ relatives when they were confronted by a white man with a handgun, police said.

The incident has raised concerns about rising Islamophobia and hate crimes against communities targeted due to their ethnicity or religious background. The family of one victim, who grew up in the West Bank, expressed feelings of betrayal and is trying to come to terms with the situation. Eaton, who recently moved to Burlington, legally purchased the gun used in the shooting, adding to the broader conversation about gun control regulations.

“They stated that the person had not made any comments to them and had merely approached them while they were walking down the street, essentially minding their own business,” Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said.

Two of the young men were struck in their torsos, while one was hit in the lower extremities, Murad said. All three were being treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and one faces a long recovery because of a spinal injury, a family member said.

“Kinnan grew up in the West Bank and we always thought that that could be more of a risk in terms of his safety and sending him here would be a right decision,” the uncle said. “We feel somehow betrayed in that decision here and we’re just trying to come to terms with everything.”

Eaton moved to Burlington over the summer from Syracuse, New York, and legally purchased the gun used in the shooting, Murad told reporters. According to a police affidavit, federal agents found the gun in Eaton’s apartment on Sunday. Eaton came to the door holding his hands, palms up, and told the officers he’d been waiting for them.

Syracuse police said Eaton’s name appeared in 37 police reports from 2007 until 2021, but never as a suspect. The cases ranged from domestic violence to larceny, and Eaton was listed as either a complainant or victim in 21 reports, according to Lt. Matthew Malinowski, the department’s public information officer.

Price, Awartani’s uncle, said the gunman “shot them without saying any words” and that the family suspects they were targets of a hate crime.

The news underscores the broader issue of rising hate crimes and the impact of geopolitical events on local communities, highlighting the need for increased efforts to combat discrimination and promote understanding.

“Both sides are hurting. Both Israeli people and Palestinian people are hurting and this should be an opportunity to bring compassion to our understanding of this enormous disagreement,” Doctor Patricia Graham Trauma informed clinical psychologist said.

The shooting of three Palestinian men in Vermont is a tragic event that has left the community in grief. As investigations proceed, it emphasizes the urgent need for understanding and unity among diverse groups. This incident underscores the ongoing importance of promoting tolerance and open dialogue to create a more inclusive and harmonious society.