Three Palestinian Students Shot at the University of Vermont
In an unfortunate incident, three Palestinian students were shot and wounded near the University of Vermont in Burlington on Saturday night. The escalating cases of Islamophobia and antisemitism have made the incident even more concerning, raising suspicions of a hate crime.
The Shooting Incident
According to a report from the Burlington Police Department, two of the three 20-year-old men are in stable condition, while the other is facing more serious injuries. The victims were on their way to a Thanksgiving dinner at one of their relative’s homes when the shooter fired at least four rounds from a pistol, striking all three students. Two of them were wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves at the time of the incident.
Education and Background of the Victims
All three students attended a Quaker school in the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the West Bank. Currently, they are enrolled in college at Brown University, Haverford College, and Trinity College in the United States. The families of the victims have called on the police to treat the shooting as a hate crime, citing their children’s dedication to their studies and building their futures.
Response and Investigation
Officers from the Burlington Police Department, the University of Vermont police department, and other local forces immediately responded to the scene of the shooting. The Burlington Police Department has assured the public that they are pursuing all angles in their investigation, including the possibility that this was a hate crime.
Federal Investigation and Support
Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad expressed concern, suggesting that the incident may have been a hate-motivated crime. He has already been in touch with federal investigatory and prosecutorial partners to prepare for further action if the crime is proven to be hate-motivated. The FBI Albany, which covers Vermont, is investigating the incident to determine if there was evidence of a federal violation.
Reward for Information and Political Response
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that could help arrest and convict the shooter. Senator Bernie Sanders issued a statement, expressing shock and deep upset over the incident and emphasizing that hate has no place in Burlington or anywhere else.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident and continues to receive updates as law enforcement gathers more intel. The shooting comes at a time when the Israel-Hamas war is in a four-day military pause to ensure the safe passage of hostages. The incident is another reminder of the need to address and counter hate crimes in the society.
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