Delaware County college student among 3 Palestinians shot in Vermont in possible hate crime

HAVERFORD, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Three Palestinian college students were shot in Burlington, Vermont on Saturday in what police believe may have been a hate crime inspired by the war between Israel and Hamas.

One of those victims is a student at Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Kinnan Abdal Hamid, 20, is a junior at the Delaware County school.

Police say Hamid and two others, Hisham Awartani and Tahseen Ahmad, were visiting a relative in Burlington for Thanksgiving when a man opened fire on them in the street.

"Without speaking, he discharged at least four rounds from the pistol and is believed to have fled on foot," police said.

Now, Albalhamid's mother, who lives in Jerusalem, is desperately trying to get to his bedside.

Tamara Tamimi says thankfully Kinnan was able to run from the bullets and was grazed, another friend is not as lucky after a bullet hit his spine.

Abdalhamid's mother says she believes this is in direct relation to the war in Gaza, and rising tensions.

"We are really struggling, we are really struggling and I just can't wait to get to my boy," said Tamara Tamimi.

Abdalhamid and two friends are hospitalized after they were targeted in the shooting.

"I'm blown away by their resilience by their good humor in the face of these difficult times," said Rich Price uncle of Hisam Awartani.

Abdalhamid and friends Hisham Awartani and Tasheen Ali Ahmed were shot in on Saturday evening. The three Palestinian college students from different universities were visiting Awartani's family for the Thanksgiving holiday break.

Two of the victims were wearing a traditional white and black scarf, a keffiyeh, when they were shot in the front yard.

Friends of Abdalhamid at Haverford College are disturbed by the shooting.

"I woke up to this news yesterday it is tragic. It is a blatant act of white supremacist violence," said Jared, a junior at Haverford College.

As police work to determine the motive they are providing insight on the alleged shooter, 48-year-old Jason Eaton.

Police say he answered the ATF's knock at his door, "With his palms up at waist height and stated, something to the effect of 'I've been waiting for you," said Burlington, Vermont Police Chief Jon Murad.

Investigators found a gun in his home, ballistic analysis connected it to the shooting.

Eaton has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder. The attorney general's office says it is ready to upgrade and include hate crime charges if the evidence directs them there.

Abdalhamid's family thought a move to study at Haverford College would mean he was shielded from danger.

"Kinnan grew up in West Bank and we thought that would be more risk in terms of his safety, and sending him here would be the right decision and we feel betrayed in that decision," said Abdalhamid's uncle, Radi Tamimi.