Three College Students Shot and Seriously Wounded in Burlington

Three college students of Palestinian descent were shot and seriously wounded while taking an evening walk in Burlington, Vermont. Relatives of two of the victims have arrived from the war-torn West Bank, grappling with a new reality that has shattered their lives and a place they thought was a safe haven.

Three college students of Palestinian descent were shot and seriously wounded while taking an evening walk in Burlington, Vermont. The incident has left their families grappling with a new reality, shattering their lives and the sense of safety they had in the United States.

Families Arrive from West Bank

Elizabeth Price and her husband Ali Awartani flew in from the war-torn West Bank just as their son, Hisham Awartani, underwent surgery. They had earlier agreed that it would be safer for Hisham to stay in the United States instead of coming home for the holidays amidst the Israel-Hamas war. Now, they are uncertain if he will ever walk again.

Senseless Act of Violence

Rich Price, Awartani's uncle, expressed his sense of shame and outrage over the senseless act of violence. He feels that even in a place like Burlington, Vermont, his nephew and his friends face similar risks as they would in Palestine.

Friends Since First Grade

Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, all 20 years old, were visiting Price and his family for the holiday break. The three have been friends since first grade at Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank. While out for a walk after a family birthday party, a man approached them and shot them without uttering a word.

Hate Crime Investigation

The young men were speaking in a mix of English and Arabic, and two of them were wearing black-and-white Palestinian keffiyeh scarves when they were shot. The suspected gunman, Jason J. Eaton, 48, was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime.

Community Support

In the wake of the shooting, the Burlington community has come together to support the victims and their families. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $100,000 for their medical expenses and recovery. Community members have also organized vigils and rallies to show solidarity with the victims and call for an end to hate-motivated violence.

The shooting of three Palestinian students in Burlington has highlighted the ongoing issue of hate crimes and the need for greater understanding and tolerance in society. As the victims and their families navigate this difficult time, the community stands united in offering support and demanding justice.