Jason J. Eaton, 48, who shot three Palestinian college students on Saturday, November 25, in Burlington, Vermont, faces three counts of attempted second-degree murder in a case that many see as a clear hate attack against the Palestinian community.
Without putting up any resistance, the 20-year-old attacker of the students was arrested this Sunday, November 26, after opening the door to federal agents who were looking for him, telling them that “he had been waiting for them,” and later admitting that he had weapons in his house and that he wanted a lawyer.
Eaton pleaded not guilty in court Monday morning, but was ordered held without bail at this time.
According to authorities, throughout the day on Sunday, November 26, investigators led by Lt. Michael Beliveau of the Burlington Police Department’s Detective Services Bureau conducted a series of canvasses, interviews and other investigative procedures in an effort to identify, locate and apprehend the suspect believed to have shot three 20-year-old men the night before.
On Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:38 p.m., agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), who were conducting a canvass at the scene of the shooting, located and arrested Jason J. Eaton, 48.
In a statement, local police detailed that a judge granted the search warrant for Eaton's residence in the apartment building across from where the shooting occurred, which was executed at 9:53 p.m., where evidence collected gave investigators and prosecutors probable cause to believe that Eaton carried out the shooting.
The Burlington Police Department is continuing to investigate the triple shooting that occurred on North Prospect Street. The three young male victims, each in their 20s, remain under medical care. Two are in stable condition, while one suffered much more serious injuries.
The students attacked are: Kinnan Abdalhamid, Tahseen Ahmed and Hisham Awartani, attacked while walking down a street, two of them wearing traditional Arabic keffiyeh scarves.
Preliminary investigation has determined that the three were visiting the home of relatives of one of the victims in Burlington for the Thanksgiving holiday. The three were walking on Prospect Street when they were confronted by a white male with a firearm. The suspect was walking in the area, not speaking, discharged at least four shots from the handgun and is believed to have fled on foot. All three victims were shot, two in the chest and one in the lower extremities.
All three victims are of Palestinian descent. Two are U.S. citizens and one is a legal resident, Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said at a news conference.
By Monday evening, one of the three students had been discharged from the hospital. The other two remain in intensive care.
Detectives are conducting a deliberate and methodical investigation. They have recovered ballistic evidence that will be submitted to the federal database and have conducted and are re-conducting canvasses of the neighborhood and interviewing witnesses.
“My deepest condolences go out to the victims and their families,” Police Chief Jon Murad said at the time. “At this charged moment, no one can look at this incident and not suspect that it may have been a hate crime. And I have already been in contact with federal investigative and prosecutorial partners to prepare for that if it is proven.”
Mayor Miro Weinberger said, “Violence of any kind against anyone in our community is totally unacceptable and we will do everything in our power to find the perpetrator and hold them fully accountable.”
“The fact that there are indications that this shooting may have been motivated by hate is chilling, and this possibility is being prioritized in the investigation. The City of Burlington does not tolerate hate crimes and will work tirelessly to bring the shooter to justice,” he said.
“A month ago, I stood before City Hall and said this is not the time to reject or alienate our neighbors. As Burlington Police do their job, I again ask Burlingtonians to stand together, to support these victims, their families, and communities with love and kindness. We still don’t know why this heinous crime occurred, but we do know that the outcome is horrific for three young men who were visiting our city to enjoy time with friends and family during a holiday meant to celebrate the community.”
President Joseph Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, also spoke out, condemning all forms of violence.
“While we await more data, we know this: There is absolutely no place for violence or hate in America. Period. No one should have to worry about being shot while going about their daily life.”
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the CaliFornia State Library.
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