New details have emerged about the suspect charged in the shooting of three Palestinian college students in Vermont last weekend. According to a police report obtained by the Associated Press, Jason J. Eaton had been accused of harassing an ex-girlfriend in New York state several years earlier, although no charges were filed at the time. The report states that Eaton’s ex-girlfriend claimed to have received sexual messages via texts, emails, and phone calls from him, but she did not want to press charges. She did, however, request that the police tell him to stop.
The report also mentioned that Eaton had driven past his ex-girlfriend’s home twice on the same evening, which prompted the police to pull him over. When questioned, Eaton claimed to believe that the woman still wanted to see him. However, an officer informed him that she wanted no contact with him, to which Eaton allegedly agreed to comply.
These revelations come as Eaton, 48, faces three counts of attempted second-degree murder after pleading not guilty to shooting three Palestinian students attending a Thanksgiving holiday gathering in Burlington, Vermont. One of the victims has since been released from the hospital, while another underwent surgery for a spinal injury. The condition of the third victim remains unclear.
The students were conversing in a mix of English and Arabic and wearing keffiyeh scarves when they were shot. Following the incident, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that federal authorities are investigating whether the shooting should be classified as a hate crime. This comes amid a rise in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.
While Eaton’s name appeared in numerous police reports from 2007 to 2021, he was never listed as a suspect. Instead, he was either a victim or the person filing the complaint in the majority of the cases. Eaton had recently lost his job and legally purchased the gun used in the shooting.
On Sunday, Eaton surrendered to authorities, holding his hands up and stating that he had been waiting for them. Federal agents later found the firearm in his apartment. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The shooting has raised concerns about rising prejudice and violence targeting various communities, and it serves as a reminder of the need for increased efforts to combat hatred and discrimination.
