Attorney General Merrick Garland said Monday morning that federal authorities are investigating whether the shooting deaths of three Palestinian students in Vermont over the weekend were a hate crime.
Garland shared brief public remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York City, where he met with other federal, state and local law enforcement leaders to discuss extremism in the United States that could be affected by the fentanyl crisis. We discussed local community issues. by the Israel-Hamas war.
“There is legitimate fear in communities across the country,” Garland said. “As we speak, the ATF and FBI are investigating the tragic shooting of three Palestinian men in Vermont. The investigation is ongoing, including whether this was a hate crime. It is.”
Jason J. Eaton, 48, was arrested Sunday as a suspect in the shooting. Eaton was arraigned Monday morning and pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted second-degree murder. He was being held without bail.
Attorney General Garland expresses ‘hope’ Hamas will release more American hostages ‘soon’
Jason J. Eaton, 48, is charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder in the shooting deaths of three Palestinian students in Burlington, Vermont, on Saturday. (Burlington Police Department, Associated Press)
Two of the victims were wearing keffiyehs, traditional scarves worn by people in some parts of the Middle East. The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee said they were speaking Arabic when the shooting occurred.
“No person or community in this country should live in fear of hate-driven violence, and fulfilling that promise is what drives us every day,” Garland said. Ta.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (right) discusses the Israel-Hamas war, the growing threat to Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities, how the Department of Justice will support investigations into potential hate crimes in the United States, and more. talked about the theme. (Eduardo Muñoz Pool/Getty Images)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams denounces ‘vile show of anti-Semitism’ by student who forced teacher to hide in office
Garland said an investigation update from Vermont would be “coming soon.”
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said an investigation is underway into whether the shooting deaths of three people in Vermont were a hate crime. (Eduardo Munoz/Pool Photo via AP)
Click to get the FOX News app
“As we face this growing global threat environment, we must not lose sight of the many other challenges, including working closely with our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime. “I know that,” the attorney general said.
FOX News’ Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
