POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITY OF BURLINGTON

MEDIA RELEASE

INCIDENT TYPE: DATE/TIME REPORTED:

PRESS RELEASE UPDATE # 2: SUSPECT ARRESTED:

Throughout the day on Sunday, November 26, 2023, investigators led by Lieutenant Michael
Beliveau of the Burlington Police Department’s Detectives Services Bureau conducted a series
of canvasses, interviews, and other investigatory procedures in an effort to identify, locate, and
apprehend the suspect believed to have shot three 20-year-old men the previous evening. The
BPD’s detectives were augmented by a contingent of personnel from long-term partners in the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with whom the BPD regularly
works through the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force (CCGVTF). The BPD also
received outstanding assistance from agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
including victim services and computer and cellphone analysis.

On Sunday afternoon, at approximately 1538 hours, ATF agents who were conducting a canvass
at the location of the shooting encountered and detained Jason J. Eaton, 48. Detectives worked
with the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, and with the Chittenden
County State’s Attorney, Sarah George, to complete a search warrant for Mr. Eaton’s residence
in the apartment building in front of which the shooting took place. A judge granted the search
warrant and officers executed it at 2153 hours. Evidence collected during that search warrant,
and additional evidence developed during the course of this investigation, gave investigators and
prosecutors probable cause to believe that Mr. Eaton perpetrated the shooting. He has been
arrested and is expected to be arraigned on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Mayor Miro Weinberger will be joined by Chief of Police Jon Murad and other partners at a
press conference on Monday, November 27, 2023. The time, location, and other details will be
provided later this morning.

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PRESS RELEASE UPDATE # 1:

The Burlington Police Department continues to investigate the triple shooting that occurred on
North Prospect Street last night. The three young male victims, each of whom is 20 years old,
remain under medical care. Two are stable, while one has sustained much more serious injuries.
The Burlington Police Department does not release the names of crime victims; additionally, the
victims have asked that their names not be shared at this time.

Preliminary investigation has determined that all three were visiting the home of one victim’s
relatives in Burlington for the Thanksgiving holiday. The three were walking on Prospect Street
when they were confronted by a white male with a handgun. The suspect was on foot in the area.
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.

All three victims are of Palestinian descent. Two are US citizens and one is a legal resident. Two
were wearing keffiyehs at the time of the assault. At this time, there is no additional information
to suggest the suspect’s motive, such as statements or remarks by the suspect.

Detectives are engaging in a deliberate, methodical investigation. They have recovered ballistic
evidence that will be submitted to the federal database and have conducted and are re-conducting
neighborhood canvases and witness interviews. The initial response to the incident involved the
BPD, officers from the University of Vermont Police Department, and members of the
Burlington Fire Department.

The incident also occasioned the deployment of the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task
Force. The CCGVTF’s members include officers from a variety of state and local agencies,
including the South Burlington Police Department, the Milton Police Department, the Vermont
Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement and Safety Division, and the Vermont Fish and
Wildlife Department. A canine officer from Fish and Wildlife conducted a track at the scene and
assisted with evidence identification. Troopers with the Vermont State Police assisted as well.
The CCGVTF also includes members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives (ATF), who have been instrumental partners on this case and others. Additionally, a
member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently at Burlington Police Department
headquarters working directly with detectives.

Additionally, the Chief of Police or other representatives of the BPD have communicated with
the University of Vermont’s Chief Safety and Compliance Officer, the Colonel of the Vermont
State Police, the local Supervisory Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, Congresswoman Balint, and Senators Bernie

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Sanders and Peter Welch, all of whom have expressed concern and offered assistance on this
case.

“My deepest condolences go out to the victims and their families,” said Chief of Police Jon
Murad. “In this charged moment, no one can look at this incident and not suspect that it may
have been a hate-motivated crime. And I have already been in touch with federal investigatory
and prosecutorial partners to prepare for that if it’s proven. But now that the victims are safe and
receiving medical care, our next priority is identifying, locating, and apprehending the suspect.
We’re working every investigatory angle on this case, and will continue to provide reliable,
factual information to public while protecting the victims and our investigation. The fact is that
we don’t yet know as much as we want to right now. But I urge the public to avoid making
conclusions based on statements from uninvolved parties who know even less.”

“Violence of any kind against any person in our community is totally unacceptable and we will
do everything in our power to find the perpetrator and hold them fully accountable. That there is
an indication this shooting could have been motivated by hate is chilling, and this possibility is
being prioritized in the BPD’s investigation. The City of Burlington has zero tolerance for hate
crimes and will work relentlessly to bring the shooter to justice” said Mayor Miro Weinberger.
“One month ago, I stood in front of City Hall and said that this is not a time to reject or alienate
our neighbors. As the Burlington Police do their work, I am asking Burlingtonians again to stand
together, to support these victims, their families, and communities with love and kindness. We
don’t yet know why this appalling crime happened, we do know that the outcome is terrible for
three young men who were visiting our city to enjoy time with friends and family during a
holiday meant for the celebration of community. I am grieving for the pain and fear inflicted on
them in our City, in this special community profoundly dedicated to being a place that is safe,
welcoming, and open for all to know and enjoy. ”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Police
Department at (802) 658-2704.

PRESS NOTIFICATION # 1
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2023 19:21
Subject: BPD Preliminary Press Notification: three persons struck by gunfire

This is a preliminary press notification about an in-progress incident for which the investigation
is at the earliest stages. At approximately 1825 hours on Saturday November 25 2023 the
Burlington Police Department received calls stating that a person or persons had been shot in the
vicinity of North Prospect Street in Burlington. Officers arrived to find two injured people at the
location and a third injured person at a second location a short distance away; all three had been

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struck by gunfire. No shooter has yet been identified or apprehended. The two male victims at
the first location were treated on scene by Burlington Fire Department personnel and transported
to the University of Vermont Medical Center. The third victim, at the second location, was
transported to UVMMC by BPD personnel. The BPD is at the earliest stages of investigating this
crime. Drivers and pedestrians should avoid North Prospect Street at this time because of
closures associated with the crime scene. More information will be provided as it becomes
available.

Chief of Police Jon Murad

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