Burlington, Vermont Police Seek Suspect in Shooting of Three 20-Year-Olds of Palestinian Descent
Authorities in Burlington, Vermont are on the hunt for a white male suspect following a shooting incident involving three 20-year-old men of Palestinian heritage over the Thanksgiving weekend. According to officials, the victims were visiting the home of one of their relatives when they were confronted by a white man who discharged at least four rounds into a group of people without speaking. The incident occurred on Prospect Street around 6:30 p.m.
Two of the victims were struck in the torso, while the third suffered injuries to his lower extremities. Reportedly, two of the victims are in stable condition, while the third sustained more serious injuries. Authorities have stated that the victims were targeted on the basis of their ethnic affiliation based on their attire. The suspect is believed to have fled the scene of the crime on foot.
In response to the incident, Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad has called for caution in drawing conclusions based on limited knowledge of the events. In light of the charged atmosphere surrounding the attack, Murad has indicated that preliminary investigations have not yet yielded a motive. Meanwhile, families of the victims have spoken out, asserting that the incident should be treated as a hate crime, and are urging law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation.
As authorities continue to pursue the suspect, the victims have been identified as students at U.S. colleges and universities. Haverford’s president and dean as well as Trinity’s president and vice president issued joint statements expressing concern for their students and condemning the violence. Brown University has confirmed that one of the victims is a student at the institution and is expected to recover from their injuries.
Organizations such as the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), have stepped forward to condemn the shooting, stating that the attack targeted the victims based on their Arab ethnicity, calling for a comprehensive investigation. The tragedy has also prompted a response from President Joe Biden who has been briefed on the situation. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has also shared his response to the shooting, emphasizing that hate should hold no place in society.
The incident comes in the wake of heightened tensions between various ethnic communities in the U.S., and it is the latest in a string of recent incidents to have targeted individuals of Arab descent. Authorities and advocacy groups are urging for the incident to be taken seriously amid a growing trend of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment reported across the country.
