Three men of Palestinian descent were shot, and an American man was charged with attempted murder in Vermont yesterday for what the authorities called a hate crime.
State attorney Sarah George of Vermont stated that although the investigation is still in its early phases, there is not yet enough evidence to back up an enhancement of the charges against the 48-year-old suspect for hate crimes.
However, in Burlington, the US city in the northeast where the shooting took place, George said to reporters, “I do want to be clear.” “This was unquestionably a hateful act.”
The attack happened during a period of high tensions in the US over the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to police, a gunman “unprovoked” his attack by stepping off a front porch and opening fire on the three college students as they were walking together on a city block.
Growing numbers of threats and violent incidents, including anti-Semitic and Islamophobic acts, have been reported on college campuses and in other places.
According to the White House, President Joe Biden was “horrified” by what happened to the three university students who were shot while celebrating Thanksgiving, an American national holiday.
A number of US lawmakers were also shocked and incensed by the attack.
Eaton was taken into custody on Sunday and made his court appearance in Burlington on Monday. He entered a not guilty plea to the shootings, according to NBC.
When law enforcement officials knocked on Eaton’s apartment door, he answered, “I’ve been waiting for you,” according to Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad.
Murad claims that Eaton responded, “I would like a lawyer,” when the agents questioned him about why.
According to the police chief, during a search of the property, officers found a gun and ammunition that matched the shells found at the shooting scene.
Domestic violent extremists’
US Attorney General Merrick Garland warned Monday of increasing threats from “domestic violent extremists” amid growing attacks against minority groups, as he vowed a full investigation into the shooting, including whether a hate crime was committed.
“There is understandable fear,” Garland said, as the United States experiences a “sharp increase” in threats and attacks against Jewish and Muslim communities since October 7, when Hamas in the Gaza Strip launched a deadly raid on Israel, sparking a brutal war.
The gunman was initially identified by Burlington police as a white man carrying a handgun.
He fired at least four shots from the pistol without saying anything, according to the police, and is thought to have run away on foot.
According to a police statement, the third victim had “much more serious injuries,” while the other two were in stable condition. Of them, one is a lawful resident and the other two are US citizens.
Keffiyehs, the traditional black-and-white Palestinian scarf, were worn by two of the young men.
A representative for the victims’ families said that all three victims attended the private Quaker school Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank and are currently enrolled in various universities in the northeastern United States.
Following warnings from civil rights organizations about an increase in hate crimes targeting Arab and Muslim Americans and escalating anti-Semitism, a shooting occurred.
The families have expressed how heartbroken they are over the shootings. “The families fear that this was motivated by hate,” stated Richard Price, an uncle of one of the victims who was hosting the trio for Thanksgiving, at the Burlington press conference.
Another victim’s uncle, Radi Tamimi, stated that his family was still in shock.
“We always felt that sending Kinnan here would be the right decision, you know, because he grew up in the West Bank, where there might be more of a risk to his safety,” Tamimi said.“We feel somehow betrayed in that decision here and, you know, we’re just trying to come to terms with everything.”
