Senator Peter Welch: “We must end the vicious cycle of fear, intimidation and violence.”
Justice Garland “Supports FBI investigation…continues investigation into whether it is a hate crime”
American media, including the political media The Hill, reported on the 27th (local time) that three Palestinian college students who were shot by a gunman in an attack near the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, are recovering from their injuries.
“This horrific, unprovoked attack violates the values and character of a welcoming, inclusive community,” Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said.
The suspect, Jason Eaton, 48, reportedly pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder on the 27th.
Previously, the police said that a white man approached Palestinian college students passing through the city center on the 25th, shot them four times without saying anything, and then fled the scene.
“They (the Palestinians) didn’t know anything about this guy, they had never met him before,” Burlington Police Chief John Murad said. “The suspect came down the front door and started shooting at the victims.”
The victims are college students in their early 20s, from the West Bank, and all are studying at American universities. Two are said to be U.S. citizens and one is a legal U.S. resident.
They were students at Brown University, Haverford University, and Trinity University, respectively, and reportedly gathered in Burlington to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with the grandmother of one of the students.
“This vicious cycle of fear, intimidation and violence must end,” said Senator Peter Welch (Democrat), whose district includes Vermont. “This is unacceptable,” he said.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are assisting in the investigation.
Attorney General Garland explained, “We are continuing to investigate, including whether this is a hate crime.”
“The President and First Lady are shocked by the attacks on college students of Palestinian descent,” White House press secretary Curin Janpier said.
Spokesperson Janpier went on to say that President Biden was continuously briefed on the investigation and comforted the victims’ families, saying, “There is absolutely no place for violence and hatred in the United States.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.