Three students of Palestinian descent were shot and injured while attending a Thanksgiving holiday gathering near the University of Vermont on Saturday evening, according to police. The shooting occurred just before 6:30 p.m., and the police are currently searching for the shooter. Two of the victims are in stable condition, while the third suffered more serious injuries. The neighborhood near the University of Vermont has been shaken by this incident.
The victims have been identified as Hisham Awartani of Brown University, Kinnan Abdalhamid of Haverford College, and Tahseen Ahmed of Trinity College. All three men are of Palestinian descent, with two being U.S. citizens and one a legal resident. They were visiting a relative’s home when they were confronted by a white man with a handgun. At the time, two of the victims were wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves.
Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad stated that there is no additional information to suggest the suspect’s motive, but given the charged atmosphere surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, it is possible that this may have been a hate-motivated crime. Murad expressed his condolences to the victims and their families and assured the public that federal investigatory and prosecutorial partners have been contacted to prepare for potential hate crime charges if the motive is proven.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) reported that a man shouted and harassed the victims while they were conversing in Arabic before shooting them. The FBI is aware of the incident and has stated its readiness to investigate if any federal violations come to light during the local investigation.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and will continue to receive updates as law enforcement gathers more information. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent, denounced the attack, calling it “shocking and deeply upsetting,” and expressed his support for a full investigation. Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger has been in contact with the victim’s family and the city’s Muslim community, offering support and a commitment to justice.
The University of Vermont expressed its sadness about the incident and urged the community to pay attention to reliable sources of information and to avoid speculation as the investigation progresses. Vermont Governor Phil Scott called the shooting a tragedy and offered support to the victims’ families, as well as to the Burlington community and the Palestinian community.
The incident comes at a time of widespread demonstrations and escalating tensions in the United States due to the death toll rising in the Israel-Hamas war. A fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has been reinstated, with the release of more hostages by the militants. This incident highlights the need for continued efforts to address hate crimes and promote peace and understanding in communities.
