Three Palestinian College Students, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdel Hamid, and Tahseen Ahmed, Shot in Potential Hate Crime in Vermont

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Three Palestinian college students, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdel Hamid, and Tahseen Ahmed, all aged 20, were shot on Saturday night while walking home from dinner in Burlington, Vermont. The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee alleges that this was a hate crime. The victims were wearing keffiyeh scarves and speaking Arabic when the suspect approached them.

Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad stated that the three students were visiting one victim’s relatives in Burlington for the Thanksgiving holiday. As they were walking on Prospect Street, a white male with a handgun confronted them. Without uttering a word, the suspect discharged at least four rounds from the pistol and fled the scene on foot.

When the police arrived, they found three individuals with gunshot wounds. Two victims were treated at the scene by the Burlington Fire Department before being transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center. The third victim was found nearby and also taken to the hospital. Two of the victims are currently in stable condition, while the third has sustained more serious injuries.

Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the shooting. However, Chief Murad expressed concerns that this incident may be a hate-motivated crime, given the current charged atmosphere. He has been in contact with federal investigatory and prosecutorial partners to prepare for potential hate crime charges should the investigation reveal evidence supporting this.

The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee is calling for a thorough investigation of the incident as a hate crime. Abed A. Ayoub, the National Director of the committee, expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and emphasized the need to address the surge in anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian sentiment, which he believes is contributing to acts of violence.

In response to the incident, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has offered a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. The hope is that this reward will encourage witnesses to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigation.

The students’ alma mater, Ramallah Friends School, confirmed that they are currently enrolled in U.S. universities. Awartani attends Brown University, Hamid is a student at Haverford University, and Ahmed studies at Trinity College. Haverford University expressed concern for their junior student, Kinnan Abdel Hamid, who is recovering from a gunshot wound in a Burlington hospital. The university is awaiting updates on whether the incident will be treated as a hate crime.

As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on bringing the perpetrator to justice and addressing the underlying issues of hate and discrimination that may have motivated this tragic incident..