Hisham Awartani, Palestinian-Irish-American College Student, Paralyzed from Waist Down in Unprovoked Shooting

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Hisham Awartani, a 20-year-old Palestinian-Irish-American college student, is facing the devastating reality of permanent paralysis after being shot in an unprovoked attack in Burlington, Vermont. The incident occurred last month when Awartani and his childhood friends, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, were walking near the University of Vermont.

According to reports, the suspect, now identified as Jason Eaton, approached the group and without saying a word, shot all three of them. The victims, who are of Palestinian descent, were immediately rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds to their spine, buttocks, and chest.

Awartani, a junior at Brown University, is now paralyzed from the waist down due to a bullet that is lodged in his spine. His family has set up a GoFundMe Page to raise funds for his medical expenses, which has already garnered over $750,000 in donations. In a statement on the page, his family expressed gratitude that all three victims survived the attack, but acknowledged the difficult road ahead for Awartani. They stated, “For Hisham, however, one of the bullets that struck him is lodged in his spine and has left him paralyzed from the chest down.”

Despite the devastating prognosis, Awartani has shown remarkable courage, resilience, and even a sense of humor. His family remains hopeful as he is scheduled to be released from the hospital next week and begin rehabilitation.

Awartani, Abdalhamid, and Ahmad all grew up together in the West Bank and attended the Ramallah Friends School, a Quaker institution. Awartani was pursuing a dual degree in math and archaeology at Brown University and was also a teaching assistant at the school. Abdalhamid attended Haverford College in Pennsylvania, while Ahmad attended Trinity College in Connecticut.

Meanwhile, Jason Eaton, the suspect accused of shooting the three victims, has been arrested and charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 18 and has pleaded not guilty.

This senseless act of violence has shocked the community and raised concerns about hate-motivated crimes. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motive behind the attack.

As Awartani prepares for the next chapter of his life, his family and friends continue to rally around him, offering support and encouragement. The community has also shown an outpouring of love and generosity through their donations to the GoFundMe Page. Awartani’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity..