Shootings indicative of threats faced by Palestinians, Brown student leader says
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The attempted murder of three college students in Vermont should prompt academic leaders to better understand the violence faced by Palestinians across the globe, a Brown student leader said today.
Brown senior Talia Sawiris, president of her school's Arab Society, said she's been disappointed that university President Christina Paxson hasn't spoken more directly on the issue since the shooting of student Hisham Awartani.
"We’ve been saying this for six, seven weeks and the fact that even still even after a student, a Palestinian student, is shot, this university cannot condemn the kind of state sanctioned violence and the killing of Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank territories is really sad," Sawiris told NBC News. "So that was a disappointment."
In a statement issued on Sunday, Paxson said: "I call on our community to come together to condemn anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian discrimination and acts of violence and hate."
Suspect has half a dozen traffic tickets, review shows
Shooting suspect Jason J. Eaton has six traffic and vehicle-related tickets in Vermont since 1998, according to an NBC News review of state court records.
The court records show that Eaton was issued tickets for violating the local speed limit, limitation on passing, and inspection of a registered vehicle. The incidents occurred in various jurisdictions in Vermont, including West Rutland, New Haven, Salisbury, Woodstock and Burlington.
For two of the tickets, Eaton pleaded no contest and for the other four tickets his plea was contested, or it listed “state as charged default.” NBC News reviewed Eaton’s most recent ticket from 2016, which matches the date of birth on court records related to the shooting.
Uncle of Hisham Awartani: 'I believe the families fear that this was motivated by hate'
The uncle of Hisham Awartani, Rich Price, says the families of the victims fear the shooting "was motivated by hate."
"I believe the families fear that this was motivated by hate, that these boys were, these young men, were targeted because they were Arabs, that they were wearing keffiyehs," Price said. "I think that is our fear. I'll speak on behalf of my family, my sister's family, we believe in the sanctity of a presumption of innocence and due process and so we'll support the authorities as they go through their investigation but, certainly seems like that's our fear."
Police have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting, saying it was an ongoing investigation.
Awartani 'faces a long recovery,' uncle says
Hisham Awartani "faces a long recovery," his uncle, Rich Price, said at a news briefing.
"My nephew, Hisham, received a spinal injury as a result of the shooting and faces a long recovery," Price said.
Uncle of Kinnan Abdalhamid says his family thought he would be safer in the U.S. than in the West Bank
The uncle of Burlington victim Kinnan Abdalhamid said the family thought he would be safer in the U.S. than in the West Bank, where he grew up.
"Kinnan grew up in the West Bank and we always thought that that could be more of a risk in terms of his safety and sending him here would be, you know, the right decision," Radi Tamimi said at a news briefing today. "We feel somehow betrayed in that decision here and, you know, we're just trying to come to terms with everything."
Tamimi flew into Vermont from California.
Burlington mayor thanks President Biden
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger thanked President Joe Biden for the administration's assistance and "the critical role that federal partners have played in securing this quick arrest."
Weinberger was late to the news conference today due to a phone call from the White House.
"I just had an extended phone call with President Biden," Weinberger told reporters. "We are very fortunate to have dedicated public servants working in the federal government who are committed to holding shooters accountable to gun violence despite the enormous barriers in the law and regulations."
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president and first lady were "horrified" by the shooting and plan to remain in close touch with investigators.
"These students were taking part in a uniquely American tradition, gathering with family and loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving," she said. "They should be back in school with their classmates, not in a hospital room."
Uncle of one of the victims says shooting happened after birthday party of his 8-year-old twins
Rich Price, the uncle of Burlington victim Hisham Awartani, said the shooting happened after a birthday party for his 8-year-old twins.
"We had just been to my 8-year-old twins’ birthday party," Price said. "These three college students, who if you’re in college, who wants to go a 8-year-old birthday party? But these three guys did, and they came, they played with my boys. We had just come home and they were walking around the block and this is when this happened.”
Awartani and his friends, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, were guests at Awartani's grandmother's house for Thanksgiving.
"I want to say that these three young men are incredible, and that's not just proud uncle speaking, but it's true," Price said. "They are, they have their lives in front of them, they are committed to building incredible lives. They each go to great schools."
Price has been with the students "almost constantly" since they were shot Saturday night, he said.
"I've been listening to them talk to one another and try to process the events. And I'm blown away by their resilience, by their good humor in the face of these difficult times," Price said.
Price expressed gratitude for the Burlington Police Department and Chief Jon Murad on behalf of the families of the victims.
Burlington mayor calls shooting one of the 'most shocking and disturbing events in the city's history'
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger called Saturday's shooting one of the "most shocking and disturbing events in the city’s history," at a news briefing today.
"Saturday evening shooting of three young Palestinian college students in Burlington on their holiday break is one of the most shocking and disturbing events in the city's history," Weinberger said. "This horrific, unprovoked attack is a tragic violation of the values and character of this welcoming, inclusive community."
Weinberger said he's grateful that a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies led to the suspect's arrest in less than 24 hours.
Hisham Awartani's uncle, Rich Price, is also at the news briefing. Antawi was shot in the spine, according to court documents. Kinnan Abdalhamid's uncle, Radi, was also at the news briefing.
Attorneys for suspect: 'We as human beings hope that the people who were shot recover quickly and completely'
Attorneys for the Burlington shooting suspect said they wish a speedy recovery to the three shooting victims.
“We as human beings hope that the people who were shot recover quickly and completely," Margaret Jansch, an attorney for Eaton, said to reporters after his arraignment today.
Jansch and Sarah Varty, attorneys with the Office of the Defender General in Vermont, declined to answer questions about conversations they had with Eaton. They also declined to comment about Eaton's religious affiliation.
When asked about the incident potentially being charged as a hate crime, Jansch said it would be "premature for us to speculate."
When asked about a motive, Jansch said "that’s privileged information."
Weapons found in suspect's home include pistol, loaded magazine and ammunition
Weapons found in Eaton's home allegedly include a pistol, a loaded magazine and pistol ammunition, according to court documents.
A Ruger .380 pistol along with a loaded magazine containing five rounds were found in the top drawer of a dresser in Eaton's bedroom, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Ammunition for a .380 pistol was also found in the same drawer.