Man Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Murder Charges in the Shooting of Palestinian Students
Jason J. Eaton was charged with three counts of attempted murder in the second degree after three Palestinian college students were shot in Burlington, Vermont. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be held without bond. The shooting case has drawn national attention due to rising reports of hate crimes amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Officials found evidence that links Eaton to the crime after recovering a .380 semi-automatic pistol at his home. The weapon will be analyzed and compared to the bullets found at the scene. Authorities are investigating if the shooting was a hate crime. The victims’ families, along with civil rights groups, believe that the students were targeted because they may have been wearing traditional Palestinian scarves. The shooting occurred as the students were walking on Prospect Street. Two students are in stable condition, while the third received more serious injuries. The victims’ families are calling for justice amid fears of a spike in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate incidents in the U.S. Rewards are being offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for the attack. Concerned groups are urging authorities to consider the possibility that this may have been a hate-motivated crime. The call for justice continues as the victims and their families seek support and recovery.
Not Guilty Plea from Suspect in Shooting of 3 Palestinian College Students in Vermont
