PA College Student Among 3 Palestinians Shot In Vermont

HAVERFORD, PA — A Delaware County college student was among the three victims of a shooting apparently targeting Palestinians in Vermont, according to officials.

Haverford College's President Wendy Raymond and Dean John McKnight said student Kinnan Abdalhamid was shot in Vermont. Abdalhamid, a junior at the school, is recovering from a gunshot wound in a hospital in Burlington, Vermont.

He and two others, identified as Hisham Awartani and Tahseen Ahmad, were shot near the University of Vermont at about 6:25 p.m. Saturday on North Prospect Street in Burlington, local authorities said. Abdalhamid and Ahmad the victims are stable, but Awartani suffered serious injuries that may have lifelong impacts, police said.

All three victims are 20 years old and are of Palestinian descent, according to the college and Burlington Police. Two are United States citizens and one is a legal resident, according to police.

Police said Jason J. Eaton, 48, was taken into custody at about 3:38 p.m. Sunday by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives while canvassing the area of the shooting. Eaton was taken into custody at his residence without incident and told authorities he had been waiting for them, police said.

Authorities later searched Eaton's residence and found evidence they said tied Eaton to the shooting.

Eaton is being charged with three counts of attempted murder, officials said Monday. When he was told about the charges, police said Eaton had little to no reaction.

Police said Eaton is a newer resident of Burlington and has connections to the Syracuse area.

The three were visiting one of the victim's relatives in Burlington for the holiday, Burlington Police said.

While walking, a white man approached them, pulled out a handgun, and fired at least four rounds without saying anything, authorities said. He then ran off, according to police.

Two of the victims were wearing keffiyehs at the time of the assault. Police have not found information to suggest the suspect’s motive.

"In this charged moment, no one can look at this incident and not suspect that it may
have been a hate-motivated crime," Burlington Police Chief John Murad said in a statement. "And I have already been in touch with federal investigatory and prosecutorial partners to prepare for that if it’s proven."

Murad urged the public to "avoid making conclusions based on statements from uninvolved parties who know even less."

Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George said while it's unclear if the incident was a hate crime, the shooting was a hateful act.

Haverford College officials said Abdalhamid's family lives overseas and that McKnight traveled to Vermont to be with him.

"Please join us in holding Kinnan, his friends, their families, and their communities in the light at this awful moment, as we come together in community in support of one another," the college said in a statement.

A message from our President Wendy Raymond and Dean of the College John McKnight regarding Haverford student Kinnan Abdalhamid who was shot in Vermont: pic.twitter.com/DqjSLnujsf
— Haverford College (@haverfordedu) November 26, 2023

The victim's families released a joint statement via the Institute for Middle East Understanding, saying they are devastated at the news.

"No family should ever have to endure this pain and agony," the statement reads. "Our children are dedicated students who deserve to be able to focus on their studies and building their futures."

The families thanked medical professionals caring for their children, as well as authorities in and around Vermont for "giving their full attention to this horrific hate crime in the pursuit of justice."

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said local authorities "will work relentlessly to bring the shooter to justice" and said the possibility that the incident was motivated by hate is "chilling."

"We don't yet know why this appalling crime happened, we do know that the outcome is terrible for three young men who were visiting our city to enjoy time with friends and family during a holiday meant for the celebration of community," he said. "I am grieving for the pain and fear inflicted on them in our City, in this special community profoundly dedicated to being a place that is safe, welcoming, and open for all to know and enjoy."

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called the shooting "shocking and deeply unsettling."

"Hate has no place here, or anywhere," he said. "I look forward to a full investigation. My thoughts are with them and their families."

Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) said the shooting left him "heartbroken."

"We do not tolerate hate or Islamophobia in Vermont," he said.