The victims' families and civil rights organizations are calling on Vermont law enforcement to investigate the shooting as a hate crime.

“The three were walking on Prospect Street when they were confronted by a white male with a handgun,” Murad [BPD chief] wrote. “Without speaking, he discharged at least four rounds from the pistol and is believed to have fled on foot. All three victims were struck, two in their torsos and one in the lower extremities.”

Murad noted in the press release that all three victims are 20-year-old men of Palestinian descent.

“Two are US citizens and one is a legal resident. Two were wearing keffiyehs at the time of the assault,” Murad wrote, in reference to the traditional Palestinian scarf.

  • FirstCircle@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
    21·
    1 year ago

    I think you should pitch your keffiyeh idea to Darn Tough Vermont, get hired (“VP of Keffiyeh” on your door) and get into production as soon as possible. Their socks really are incredible - had a pair for hiking for 15-20yrs now and only recently did they finally get some wear holes - will return them and should get a free replacement per the warranty. I wouldn’t be surprised if whatever they’re made out of would stop bullets in addition to keeping the wearer warm. With domestic terrorism/hate-crimes/gun-violence on the increase nation-wide, this (DT Keffiyeh) could be the 2024 product of the year! Brilliant. Enjoy Northfield. :-)

    But idiots shooting citizens and residents (or anyone for that matter) due to ethnic or religious heritage is unacceptable, so if we normalize wearing them, maybe people they won’t get targeted at much.

    • sugar_in_your_tea
      2·
      1 year ago

      Love their socks, not interested in living in Vermont though. The idea is up for grabs. :)

      • FirstCircle@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Heh, understood, I moved away many decades ago myself. That reminds me, when I was a kid there, gun laws were extremely lax. I was allowed to buy rifles and shotguns from retail stores as a young teenager, didn’t even need a parent present. Not sure what the deal would have been with handguns. I remember taking a gun safety class put on by the police but I don’t think that was a legal requirement, probably just a Dad requirement. Wonder what’s changed, wouldn’t be surprised if the answer is “not much”.

        • sugar_in_your_tea
          2·
          1 year ago

          “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” so probably not much has changed. It looks like they have constitutional carry as well, just like my current state (Utah).