New details emerge about suspect Jason Eaton in shooting of Palestinian students near University of Vermont campus

Accident – Death – Obituary News : New details have emerged about the suspect accused of shooting three Palestinian students near the University of Vermont campus in an attack that is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Jason Eaton, 48, was arrested on Sunday afternoon in Burlington, close to the scene of the attack. He allegedly ambushed three 20-year-old college students – Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ahmad – as they walked to a family Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday night. The friends were speaking to each other in English and Arabic, and two of them were wearing keffiyehs at the time.

Eaton was arraigned on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder. Burlington Police said in a press conference that when officers knocked on his door on Sunday, he told them: “I’ve been waiting for you.” Eaton’s resume, seen by The Daily Beast, reveals that he has worked as a former Boy Scouts scoutmaster, a Harvard research assistant, and a former ski instructor. His mother told the outlet that she was shocked by his alleged involvement. While he previously struggled with depression, they had enjoyed Thanksgiving together just days earlier, she said.

The families of the students released a joint statement through the Institute for Middle East Understanding, calling on authorities to continue investigating the incident with the aim of bringing hate crime charges against Eaton. The families believe that a full investigation will show that their sons were targeted and violently attacked simply for being Palestinian. They emphasize the importance of justice and accountability to ensure that this type of brutal and violent attack does not happen again.

Radi Tamimi, the uncle of Kenan Abdulhamid, one of the victims, expressed feeling betrayed by the decision to bring his nephew to the United States. He stated that it is difficult to believe that the attack was just a random act and believes that due process should be allowed to take its course.

Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are investigating whether the shooting was a hate crime. US Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed the investigations and expressed the need to combat hate-fueled violence in the country.

President Joe Biden released a statement expressing his horror at the shooting and offering support to the victims and their families. He emphasized that there is no place for violence or hate in America and stated that his administration will provide any additional federal resources needed to assist in the investigation.

If convicted on three counts of second-degree attempted murder, Eaton could face 20 years to life imprisonment. Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George stated that while there is currently not enough information to charge Eaton with a hate crime, there is no question that the attack was a hateful act. Prosecutors would need to prove an additional element of the crime to charge him with a hate crime.

As the investigation continues, the families of the victims hope for justice and accountability, while the community grapples with the reality of this violent attack..