Devastating Shooting Leaves Palestinian Student Paralyzed for Life in Vermont
One of the Palestinian students shot in Vermont may face a devastating outcome, as his spine was hit by a bullet The family shared their heart-wrenching account of the incident, which occurred after an 8-year-old's birthday party
After being shot while walking in Vermont, one of the three Palestinian college students may suffer permanent paralysis in his legs due to a bullet striking his spine, as reported by his family to CNN. The 20-year-old Brown University junior, Hisham Awartani, is now facing the daunting reality of a challenging recovery after the unprovoked attack in Burlington with two friends from the Israeli-occupied West Bank. His mother, Elizabeth Price, shared the details of the harrowing incident.
"He is an incredibly resilient young man, doing his best to lift everyone's spirits with his jokes and calm demeanor," Price stated. "We are committed to working with him, providing support, and ensuring he receives the best care possible."
"I am confident that Hisham has the determination to regain movement in his legs, despite the current assessments from doctors," she added.
From left, Tahseen Ali Ahmad, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Hisham Awartani.
Institute for Middle East Understanding
1 of 3 Palestinian college students shot in Vermont released from hospital on same day suspect pleads not guilty
48-year-old Jason J. Eaton, the suspect in the attack, was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder after shooting three students as they walked in front of his apartment building having a conversation in Arabic and English. Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad stated that authorities are investigating whether the attack was motivated by hate, though no clear motive has been determined. Eaton has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Additionally, two of the men were wearing traditional Palestinian scarves known as keffiyehs at the time of the attack.
The families of the victims and various civil rights organizations are urging investigators to classify the case as a hate crime. However, authorities stated on Monday that they have not found enough evidence to determine Eaton's motive.
"This was undeniably a hateful act," stated Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad. "But determining whether it meets the legal criteria for a hate crime is a separate issue."
Victims were shot after 8-year-olds birthday party, family says
The family representatives have identified the two other victims as Kinnan Abdalhamid, who was a student at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, who was a student at Trinity College in Connecticut.
The other two men were shot in the upper torso and lower extremities, and are currently hospitalized in the ICU, in addition to Awartani's life-altering spinal injury, as reported by the police. One of the victims was discharged from the hospital on Monday, according to a source close to the families. The victims' families released a statement on Monday expressing relief over the arrest of a suspect, but also reaffirming their belief that the attack was motivated by hate.
"We are convinced that a thorough investigation will reveal that our sons were deliberately targeted and subjected to violent assault simply because they are Palestinian," stated the families. "It is crucial to achieve full justice and accountability to prevent any recurrence of such a vicious and brutal attack."
According to the uncle, Rich Price, the students had traveled to Burlington to spend the Thanksgiving holiday and were staying with their uncle. They had recently attended a birthday party for Price's 8-year-old twin sons just hours prior to the attack.
"After returning from the birthday party, Rich Price mentioned that the group decided to take a leisurely walk around the block for some fresh air. As they walked and chatted amongst themselves, wearing their traditional Palestinian keffiyehs, a man suddenly emerged from the darkness, brandishing a handgun and firing four shots."
Price highlighted that the three students had grown up in Ramallah, a city in the West Bank, and had endured life under military occupation. He expressed disbelief that their lives would be endangered while celebrating Thanksgiving in a place like this."
Despite the life-altering injury, Hawartani's spirits are high, according to his mother. She is making the trip from the West Bank to the US to be by her son's side as he remains in the hospital for another month. "I want to take care of him as a mother," she said. "I just want to be there to reassure him and provide the comfort he needs during this difficult transition in his life."
CNNs Kaitlan Collins, Laura Coates, Rob Frehse, Polo Sandoval, Celina Tebor, Laura Dolan and Mark Morales contributed to this report.
