What to know about shootings
- Police arrested Jason J. Eaton, 48, near the scene of Saturday's shooting in Burlington, Vermont.
- Eaton has pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree attempted murder.
- Relatives identified the victims as Hisham Awartani, a junior at Brown University; Kinnan Abdalhamid, a student at Haverford College in Pennsylvania; and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, a student at Connecticut's Trinity College.
- All three remain hospitalized. Awartani was shot in the spine, Ali Ahmad was shot in the chest, and Abdalhamid was shot in the glute, according to court documents.
- The FBI late last night indicated that it was investigating the shooting; it said in an earlier statement that information about "a potential federal violation" would be needed to trigger its participation.
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'I am but one casualty in a much wider conflict,' victim says in statement read at Brown vigil
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — At a vigil on the Brown campus today, a professor read a statement from one of the shooting victims, Hisham Awartani, a Brown student.
In the statement, Awartani expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of love and prayers and made a joke about being famous, but the statement took a more solemn tone as he wrote that the shooting was part of a larger story.
"This hideous crime did not happen in a vacuum. As much as I appreciate the love of every single one of you here today, I am but one casualty in a much wider conflict," the statement said. "Had I been shot in the West Bank, where I grew up, the medical services which saved my life here would have likely been withheld by the Israeli army. The soldier who would have shot me would go home and never be convicted."
Awartani said, "Any attempt like this is horrific, be it here or in Palestine."
"This is why when you send your wishes and light your candles. Your mind should not just be focused on me as an individual, but rather as a proud member of a people being oppressed."
Beshara Doumani, the Mahmoud Darwish professor of Palestinian studies at Brown, read the statement. He and another school employee visited Awartani yesterday in Burlington.
Two of Awartani's friends — a high school classmate and his roommate — also spoke at the vigil.
Suspect allegedly told ATF agents: ‘I’ve been waiting for you’
When ATF agents knocked on the apartment door of the suspect accused of shooting three Palestinian college students — two of them U.S. citizens — in Burlington over the weekend, he held out his empty palms at his waist and responded, “I’ve been waiting for you,” authorities said.
But when agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives asked him why, the suspect replied that he wanted a lawyer and advised he had a gun in the apartment, Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said of the initial interaction yesterday afternoon.
“There was shakiness and a sense of concern,” Murad told reporters today about the suspect's demeanor, “but also something of a lack of affect.”
'We stand against hate, violence and injustice,' says adventure school where suspect once worked
A nonprofit wilderness adventure school where the suspect worked last year said it was horrified to learn of the shooting.
Kroka Expeditions, based in Marlow, New Hampshire, said in a statement that it operates a small farm from its base camp village campus. The suspect was employed as a farm assistant during the 2022 summer season, primarily taking care of livestock and landscaping, it said.
It said it has not had contact with him since October 2022.
The school said it welcomes diverse groups and seeks to build community and "raise personal consciousness" through expeditions, which include canoeing, hiking and other activities around New England.
“We stand against hate, violence and injustice in our local communities and around the world,” Kroka Expeditions said in the statement.
Arrest is first step toward justice, families of 3 students say
The families of the three college students shot in Burlington said in a joint statement that they are relieved an arrest has been made.
The charges "the suspect faces are an important and welcomed first step towards bringing justice and accountability for our sons," the families said. The suspect is charged with three counts of second-degree attempted murder.
In the statement, they said that they believe an investigation will show their sons were targeted because they are Palestinian and that accountability is needed so such an attack does not happen again.
"No one’s child should be attacked simply because of their identity," the families said. "Our children, Palestinian children, like everyone else, deserve to feel safe."
Students on Brown campus wear kaffiyehs to honor victim
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Many students around Brown’s campus are wearing kaffiyehs today in honor of Hisham and the two other students shot in Vermont.
Lily Gardner, a sophomore at Brown who is a founding member of a new student group, Jews for Ceasefire Now, said wearing kaffiyehs is “something that we have done in the past and something that we are especially doing in solidarity with Palestinians now, given that that is what they wore when they were attacked.”
Police have said two of the three victims were wearing kaffiyehs when they were shot.
Victim spoke against ongoing Hamas-Israel war last month
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Hisham Awartani, the wounded Brown University student, spoke at a campus rally last month, decrying the ongoing Hamas-Israel war.
Just days after Hamas' Oct. 7 invasion, Awartani appeared at a campus vigil organized by Brown Students for Justice in Palestine and said Palestinian deaths are too often ignored.
“If Palestinians had to hold vigils every time our people were massacred, we would be bankrupt from buying candles,” The Brown Daily Herald quoted him telling the crowd. “There is no respite for us.”
Photo: Abdalhamid and Awartani at a Model U.N. event as children
Hisham Awartani, left, and Kinnan Abdalhamid pose for a photo at a Model United Nations event at Friends School, where they were students, in Ramallah in the West Bank.
Biden insists 'there is absolutely no place for violence or hate in America'
President Joe Biden today thanked local and federal law enforcement agencies for their quick work in arresting the man suspected of shooting three college students in Vermont.
Biden stopped short of labeling Saturday's shooting in Burlington a bias attack but said the three young men were doing nothing more than "simply spending Thanksgiving gathered with family and loved ones."
"While we are waiting for more facts, we know this: There is absolutely no place for violence or hate in America. Period," Biden said in a statement. "No person should worry about being shot at while going about their daily lives. And far too many Americans know a family member injured or killed as a result of gun violence. We cannot and we will not accept that."
Brown student's mother says 'it's a miracle that they're all alive'
Hisham Awartani's mother told NBC News today that "it's a miracle that they're all alive."
“These bullets should have ended their lives,” Elizabeth Price said of the shooting at point-blank range.
She described her son as curious and said that he wanted to know about everything. "He’s a fascinating young man and he has a lot of potential. I believe in him because I believe in his ability to see and be enriched by the world and be excited by the world, no matter what happens,” Price said.
Suspect recently fired from financial services job
Jason Eaton, the 48-year-old suspected Vermont shooter, was fired from his job earlier this month at CUSO Financial, the company said today.
"Jason Eaton worked less than a year at CUSO Financial and his employment had been terminated on November 8, 2023. We are horrified by the shooting and are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate. We have no further comment," a spokeswoman said.
CUSO is an investment adviser firm serving institutions such as credit unions.
Shootings indicative of threats faced by Palestinians, Brown student leader says
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The attempted murder of three college students in Vermont should prompt academic leaders to better understand the violence faced by Palestinians across the globe, a Brown student leader said today.
Brown senior Talia Sawiris, president of her school's Arab Society, said she's been disappointed that university President Christina Paxson hasn't spoken more directly on the issue since the shooting of student Hisham Awartani.
"We’ve been saying this for six, seven weeks and the fact that even still even after a student, a Palestinian student, is shot, this university cannot condemn the kind of state sanctioned violence and the killing of Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank territories is really sad," Sawiris told NBC News. "So that was a disappointment."
In a statement issued on Sunday, Paxson said: "I call on our community to come together to condemn anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian discrimination and acts of violence and hate."
Suspect has half a dozen traffic tickets, review shows
Shooting suspect Jason J. Eaton has six traffic and vehicle-related tickets in Vermont since 1998, according to an NBC News review of state court records.
The court records show that Eaton was issued tickets for violating the local speed limit, limitation on passing, and inspection of a registered vehicle. The incidents occurred in various jurisdictions in Vermont, including West Rutland, New Haven, Salisbury, Woodstock and Burlington.
For two of the tickets, Eaton pleaded no contest and for the other four tickets his plea was contested, or it listed “state as charged default.” NBC News reviewed Eaton’s most recent ticket from 2016, which matches the date of birth on court records related to the shooting.
Uncle of Hisham Awartani: 'I believe the families fear that this was motivated by hate'
The uncle of Hisham Awartani, Rich Price, says the families of the victims fear the shooting "was motivated by hate."
"I believe the families fear that this was motivated by hate, that these boys were, these young men, were targeted because they were Arabs, that they were wearing keffiyehs," Price said. "I think that is our fear. I'll speak on behalf of my family, my sister's family, we believe in the sanctity of a presumption of innocence and due process and so we'll support the authorities as they go through their investigation but, certainly seems like that's our fear."
Police have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting, saying it was an ongoing investigation.
Awartani 'faces a long recovery,' uncle says
Hisham Awartani "faces a long recovery," his uncle, Rich Price, said at a news briefing.
"My nephew, Hisham, received a spinal injury as a result of the shooting and faces a long recovery," Price said.
Uncle of Kinnan Abdalhamid says his family thought he would be safer in the U.S. than in the West Bank
The uncle of Burlington victim Kinnan Abdalhamid said the family thought he would be safer in the U.S. than in the West Bank, where he grew up.
"Kinnan grew up in the West Bank and we always thought that that could be more of a risk in terms of his safety and sending him here would be, you know, the right decision," Radi Tamimi said at a news briefing today. "We feel somehow betrayed in that decision here and, you know, we're just trying to come to terms with everything."
Tamimi flew into Vermont from California.
Burlington mayor thanks President Biden
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger thanked President Joe Biden for the administration's assistance and "the critical role that federal partners have played in securing this quick arrest."
Weinberger was late to the news conference today due to a phone call from the White House.
"I just had an extended phone call with President Biden," Weinberger told reporters. "We are very fortunate to have dedicated public servants working in the federal government who are committed to holding shooters accountable to gun violence despite the enormous barriers in the law and regulations."
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president and first lady were "horrified" by the shooting and plan to remain in close touch with investigators.
"These students were taking part in a uniquely American tradition, gathering with family and loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving," she said. "They should be back in school with their classmates, not in a hospital room."
Uncle of one of the victims says shooting happened after birthday party of his 8-year-old twins
Rich Price, the uncle of Burlington victim Hisham Awartani, said the shooting happened after a birthday party for his 8-year-old twins.
"We had just been to my 8-year-old twins’ birthday party," Price said. "These three college students, who if you’re in college, who wants to go a 8-year-old birthday party? But these three guys did, and they came, they played with my boys. We had just come home and they were walking around the block and this is when this happened.”
Awartani and his friends, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, were guests at Awartani's grandmother's house for Thanksgiving.
"I want to say that these three young men are incredible, and that's not just proud uncle speaking, but it's true," Price said. "They are, they have their lives in front of them, they are committed to building incredible lives. They each go to great schools."
Price has been with the students "almost constantly" since they were shot Saturday night, he said.
"I've been listening to them talk to one another and try to process the events. And I'm blown away by their resilience, by their good humor in the face of these difficult times," Price said.
Price expressed gratitude for the Burlington Police Department and Chief Jon Murad on behalf of the families of the victims.
Burlington mayor calls shooting one of the 'most shocking and disturbing events in the city's history'
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger called Saturday's shooting one of the "most shocking and disturbing events in the city’s history," at a news briefing today.
"Saturday evening shooting of three young Palestinian college students in Burlington on their holiday break is one of the most shocking and disturbing events in the city's history," Weinberger said. "This horrific, unprovoked attack is a tragic violation of the values and character of this welcoming, inclusive community."
Weinberger said he's grateful that a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies led to the suspect's arrest in less than 24 hours.
Hisham Awartani's uncle, Rich Price, is also at the news briefing. Antawi was shot in the spine, according to court documents. Kinnan Abdalhamid's uncle, Radi, was also at the news briefing.
Attorneys for suspect: 'We as human beings hope that the people who were shot recover quickly and completely'
Attorneys for the Burlington shooting suspect said they wish a speedy recovery to the three shooting victims.
“We as human beings hope that the people who were shot recover quickly and completely," Margaret Jansch, an attorney for Eaton, said to reporters after his arraignment today.
Jansch and Sarah Varty, attorneys with the Office of the Defender General in Vermont, declined to answer questions about conversations they had with Eaton. They also declined to comment about Eaton's religious affiliation.
When asked about the incident potentially being charged as a hate crime, Jansch said it would be "premature for us to speculate."
When asked about a motive, Jansch said "that’s privileged information."
Weapons found in suspect's home include pistol, loaded magazine and ammunition
Weapons found in Eaton's home allegedly include a pistol, a loaded magazine and pistol ammunition, according to court documents.
A Ruger .380 pistol along with a loaded magazine containing five rounds were found in the top drawer of a dresser in Eaton's bedroom, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Ammunition for a .380 pistol was also found in the same drawer.
Booking photo of suspect released
Burlington police released a booking photo of Eaton, 48, the man alleged to have shot three students of Palestinian descent.
Police detained Eaton yesterday afternoon after a search of his property provided probable cause that he did the shooting.
NBC News reviewed social media profiles and websites that appeared to belong to Eaton. On a YouTube account that appears to belong to Eaton, playlists include videos with titles including “Expose Fauci,” and using brain crystals for “psychic powers.” Videos in the playlists covered a variety of topics such as long Covid, government surveillance and economics. An Instagram account that appears to belong to him shows photos of farm life, cooking and machinery.
An archived version of a Twitter account that appeared to belong to him showed posts about economics and skepticism of Covid vaccines. That account is currently locked. On Reddit, an account that appeared to belong to Eaton posted about agriculture, economics and mental health.
Victims shot in the spine, chest and glute, according to court documents
The Burlington shooting victims were shot in the spin, chest and glute, according to court documents.
Hisham Awartani was shot in the spine, Tahseen Ali Ahmad was shot in the chest and Kinnan Abdalhamid was shot in the glute, per the affidavit of probable cause.
Suspect said 'I've been waiting for you' to ATF agent investigating Burlington shooting
The suspect accused of shooting three students of Palestinian descent made a statement to the effect of "I've been waiting for you" to an ATF agent who is investigating the shooting, according to court documents.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Jason Eaton said this to the ATF agent who made contact with him at his apartment. Eaton also advised that there was a shotgun there.
When the agent then asked Eaton if there were any other guns in the apartment, he wouldn't identify himself or answer the question. The agent was able to confirm that Eaton bought a Ruger .380 caliber pistol in April.
Suspect in Burlington shooting pleads not guilty to attempted murder charges
Jaston Eaton, the suspect accused of shooting three Palestinian men, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder in the second degree.
Jason Eaton, 48, is being held without bail. A bail hearing will be held in the near future, Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Rainville said.
Brown student was shot down the street from his grandmother's house
Hisham Awartani's loved ones can't grasp how he was shot around the corner from "granny’s house" and on "a street he’s basically grown up on,” the victim's mother said.
Awartani's father didn't want the Brown University junior coming home to the Middle East for the Christmas holidays, believing it was prudent for him to stay with his wife's family in Burlington.
"The short-term shock is now evolving into something more complex as he tries to frame who he is in the world and what it means to be safe in America, particularly when you get shot down the street from your granny’s house in a street he’s basically grown up on," Awartani’s mother, Elizabeth Price, told NBC News today from Ramallah, a town in the West Bank.
"He’s been going there since he was 8 or maybe 10. So for him to have that taken away from him, I don’t know what that means for any of the boys and their ability to function normally.”
'This was a targeted shooting,' American Arab advocacy organization official says
Abed Ayoub, national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said the three students shot in Burlington were targeted because they are Palestinian.
"There is a lot of evidence, again, pointing to the fact that they were wearing the keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf, and they were not robbed, they were not held up, and it was not an act of domestic violence," he told "TODAY." "This was a targeted shooting."
Ayoub said there is reason to believe the person who shot the Palestinian students "approached them, followed them and shot them because of their race and ethnicity." The ADC is working to verify reports that the students were speaking Arabic when they were shot.
Police have not yet indicated whether they believe the shooting was related to their ethnicity.
"Regardless, the suspect, again, who was on foot, targeted these individuals, ran off, didn’t take anything from them, didn’t hold them up and just went about his business as if nothing had happened," Ayoub said.
He said the ADC has seen a rise in anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian sentiment that's led to members of these communities being targeted in the U.S. Ayoub specifically cited the murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume in Illinois last month.
The three victims are "just like other students in this country," Ayoub said, who "want to set out, do the right thing, go to school, do what they can, stay out of trouble and become successful."
"We need to ensure the safety of our students. We need to ensure the safety of Arabs and Palestinians," he said.
FBI and ATF still investigating
Attorney General Merrick Garland said this morning at a meeting with federal, state and local law enforcement leaders that the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, are continuing to investigate the shooting of three college students of Palestinian descent in Burlington, Vermont.
Suspect in Burlington shooting will be arraigned this morning
The suspect accused of shooting three students of Palestinian descent Saturday night will be arraigned this morning, according to officials.
Jason J. Eaton, 48, will be arraigned at 10:30 a.m. at the Chittenden Criminal Courtroom in Vermont.
Police arrest suspect in Burlington shooting
A suspect was arrested overnight in connection with the shooting of three college students of Palestinian descent in Burlington, Vermont.
Burlington police said Jason J. Eaton, 48, was detained yesterday afternoon near the scene of the shooting. A search of his nearby apartment “gave investigators and prosecutors probable cause to believe that Mr. Eaton perpetrated the shooting,” police said in a statement. He was arrested late last night and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, they added.
Police earlier said the shooter, who is white, said nothing before firing at the victims. Two of the victims were wearing keffiyehs, according to police, and the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee said they were speaking Arabic. Police said two of the three victims, all 20 years old, are U.S. citizens and the third is a legal resident.