Burlington Police Investigate Shooting of 3 Palestinian-American Men
Burlington, Vermont – Police in Burlington are searching for a white suspect after three 20-year-old men of Palestinian descent were shot on Thanksgiving Day. The victims, who were visiting a relative’s home, were confronted by an armed white man, who allegedly discharged at least four rounds, injuring two victims in the torso and one in the lower extremities.
The incident took place as the victims were wearing keffiyehs, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. Two of the victims are U.S. citizens, while one is a legal resident. The suspect fled the scene on foot and remains unidentified. The motive behind the shooting is yet to be determined.
Police Chief Jon Murad emphasized the importance of not jumping to conclusions and stated that the incident will be investigated as a potential hate crime if evidence suggests. Concern for the victims’ safety and justice has been voiced by their families, who are calling for a thorough investigation into what they believe to be a hate crime.
Haverford and Trinity colleges, where two of the victims are students, have released statements expressing support for the victims. Similarly, Brown University President Christina H. Paxson mentioned that Hisham Awartani, a student at the university, is expected to recover from his injuries.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee believes that the shooting is a result of growing anti-Arab sentiment, especially in light of the recent Israel-Hamas war. This incident follows a surge in reported incidents of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias across the United States.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, while Senator Bernie Sanders expressed shock and called for a thorough investigation. As the investigation continues, the Burlington community will be looking to police for answers and justice for the victims.
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