PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Hundreds gathered at Brown University to pray for three college students who were shot in Vermont over the weekend in what authorities are calling a potential hate crime.
Hisham Awartani, 20, a junior at Brown, was spending his Thanksgiving break in Burlington along with two other 20-year-old college students. The three men are of Palestinian descent, according to officials, and were staying with Awartani’s family.
On Saturday, authorities say the trio was walking outside getting some fresh air when 48-year-old Jason J. Eaton pulled out a gun and shot them. He is now being charged with three counts of attempted murder and pleaded not guilty in court on Monday.
The three victims were rushed to the hospital, where officials say two are in stable condition but the other sustained much more serious injuries.
Students on the Brown University campus say Awartani has a bullet in his spine but is expected to recover.
Faculty members and students alike all gathered to support each other and the victims of the terrible tragedy.
“This is somebody who goes to this school who has been put under a horrible act of violence and hate,” one attendee of the vigil said.
Students say Awartani spoke out at a vigil on campus just last month reacting to the violence in Israel and Gaza.
“Just an awful, awful thing that happened. You wouldn’t wish it upon anybody on any side on any color of anything,” another person agreed.
The shocking crime has left the campus shaken, but students say they’re hopeful a peaceful dialogue on campus continues.
They’re also hoping that Awartani will be able to return to school after recovering from his injuries so they can show him how supported he is.
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