Three Palestinian students in Vermont, including Hisham Awartani, sustained life-altering injuries in a shooting incident. He is expected to leave the hospital in a week for further rehabilitation. His mother, Elizabeth Price, expressed hope that he would face the challenge with the same determination she witnessed this week[1].
The three friends, Awartani, a 20-year-old student at Brown University, Kinnan Abdalhamid from Haverford College, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad of Trinity College, had gone for a walk on Saturday. Burlington Police Chief, Jon Murad, mentioned they had conversed in both English and Arabic during their stroll[1].
Two other men were also shot, in their upper body, and were given intensive care. One of them was released from the hospital on Monday. Abdalhamid's parents expressed relief at their son's release but acknowledged the devastating effects this tragedy would have on their lives[1].
"Kinnan told us he was scared to leave the hospital," they shared. "Our child might be able to leave the hospital, but he is still shaken up from this awful incident."
The suspect in the attack, 48-year-old Jason J. Eaton, was arrested on Sunday and charged with three counts of attempted murder, denying guilt[1]. Police have not been able to establish a motive for the attack, but they reportedly will explore the possibility of hate as a motivation[1].
Price expressed that it was a difficult and challenging six days, but also an inspiring and awe-inspiring moment. She shared that her son and his lifelong friends from childhood demonstrated determination, resilience, and even a sense of composure in the most challenging situation. She also highlighted the overwhelming support from people around the world[1].
If the funds raised through GoFundMe are not needed, they will be used to create a fund for supporting other Palestinians in need[1].
Awartani, remembered attending a birthday party for his uncle's 8-year-old twins earlier that day[1]. Elizabeth Price mentioned that her son relayed he was suddenly on the floor when the shooting started, only to remember a friend crying in pain due to a chest wound. The third victim thought his friend had been killed and tried to leave to seek help[1].
According to Price, Awartani endured an incomplete spinal cord injury, impairing his ability to control his legs although he still feels them. She also mentioned he suffered a broken clavicle and a broken thumb[1]. Awartani is expected to receive spinal traction treatments for 1-4 weeks, followed by several months of physiotherapy[1].
Awartani's uncle stressed how the three friends, who had grown up in Ramallah before coming to the US, had persevered through military occupation to celebrate Thanksgiving in a place where their lives were imperiled[1].
Abdulhamid shared with Anderson Cooper that he was shot in his back, shortly after two other students had been hit[4]. The incident was part of a larger problem of hate against Palestinians.
He also referred to the violent attack on six-year-old Wadea Al Fayoume in Plainfield, Illinois, who was stabbed 26 times by his landlord, the Sheriff of Will County[4]. The incident and what had happened to them left an indelible impact on Palestinian families like Abdulhamid's.
"We are a very tight-knit community," Abdulhamid said. "That is why now every Palestinian has fear due to what has happened in Gaza, especially now that the ceasefire has ended."
The family of the victims urged the police to treat the case as a hate crime investigation[1]. While the Burlington Police Chief acknowledged finding weapons in Eaton's house, he expressed that they still needed to uncover a motive for the crime[1]. He also stated that an extensive electronic evidence was collected from Eaton's home that could hold crucial hints in understanding the underlying cause for this incident[1].
Family demands Police to treat the case as a hate crime
Police Chief Murad stated that a firearm and ammunition were discovered during the search of Eaton's residence close to the crime scene, which matched the bullets found at the scene[2]. While the authorities claim to have enough evidence to link Eaton to the crime, they continue their search for a motive.
Murad shared with CNN's "Erin Burnett's Frontline" on Monday night that an extensive collection of electronic devices seized during the raid could potentially shed light on the case. Federal agents were set to analyze these devices in a joint effort with the FBI[2].
The families of the victims and multiple civil rights groups urged the investigators to classify the case as a hate crime following the escalating incidents of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice in the US[2].
"It is absolutely a hate-driven act," said Murad on Monday to CNN. "But whether we have enough evidence to cross the legal threshold to establish it as a hate crime is another question."
Federal investigators were also looking into the possibility of a hate crime[2]. As the court case began on Monday, Eaton's lawyer, Margaret Jansch, claimed it was premature to speculate about a motive for a hate crime[2].
Murad revealed that Eaton showed no signs of emotion when confronted with the charges[2]. The victims' families urged for "full justice and accountability" in a joint statement, believing their children had been targeted "deliberately and violently" because they were Palestinians[2].
testimonies read at vigil
A professor from Brown University read out a passage by Awartani at a vigil on Monday evening, in which he asked: "Who would have thought I would just get shot to become famous?"[3]
Beshara Doumani, Professor of Palestinian Studies, joked that it was expected from those who knew Awartani.
"It is essential to recognize that this is not an isolated incident," said Doumani as he read out Awartani's words. "Such hidden acts of violence do not occur in a vacuum. I refer to Hisham, who recently said that Palestinians cannot hold vigils whenever they choose, as this occured."
Awartani further claimed to have been shot in the West Bank and suggested that Israeli soldiers may have refused to provide him with medical treatment. The soldiers who might have shot him would return home free, and never be prosecuted[3]. These words were met with cries of “Shame!” from the attending students.
Artemis Moshtaghian, Elizabeth Wolfe, Melissa Alonso, Ray Sanchez, Kaitlan Collins, Laura Coates, Rob Frehse, Polo Sandoval, Celina Tebor and Khalil Abdallah from CNN have contributed to this report.
References
- edition.cnn.com. (n.d.). Three Palestinian College Students Shot at Vermont Mall, Family Says.
- edition.cnn.com. (2023, November 23). Police: Alleged Vermont Mall Shooting Suspect Had Weapons and Munition.
- edition.cnn.com. (2023, November 22). March for Palestinians Following Shooting of Three Students in Vermont.
- edition.cnn.com. (2023, November 24). Families of Palestinian College Students in Vermont Call for Hate Crime Investigation.
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