Palestinian American student paralysed as he's shot while walking with friends

21 February 2024 , 17:56

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Hisham Awartani has been left unable to walk after he was shot in November (Image: ABC)

A Palestinian student left paralysed from the chest down after being shot has vowed to defy doctors and walk again.

Hisham Awartani was walking to a family dinner with two friends, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ahmed, in Burlington, Vermont when a gunman opened fire before fleeing. Police say the trio were speaking Arabic and two of them were wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Arabic scarf, when they were attacked in November.

Hisham, aged 20 and a student at Brown University, suffered an "incomplete spinal injury" which means he can feel his legs, but can't move them. Doctors told Hisham he may never walk again, but the maths and archaeology student has now left hospital after more than two months and has started physiotherapy.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money to fund Hisham's recovery has so far raised more than $1.6million (£1.2million). In an update published on Sunday, Elizabeth Price, Hisham's mum, wrote: "Hisham is unstoppable. He is dealing with the traumatic changing of his life by moving forward - one step at a time (as he says).

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Hisham Awartani was walking to a family dinner with his two friends, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ahmed, in Burlington, Vermont when they were shot (Family Handout)

"Last week, Hisham had to spend three days in the hospital, recovering from an infection. The first thing he did after he got discharged was to go back to the Journey Forward (journey-forward.org). With their help, Hisham is doing intensive rehabilitation exercises that will help him move towards his long term goal of walking again."

She added: "Hisham is unstoppable. He is so motivated. He is so determined. He is so amazing. I am so proud of him."

In another update, Elizabeth said: "As he likes to say, nothing is going to break his stride - not even a gunshot wound and resulting spinal cord injury. He spent 9.5 weeks in hospital figuring out how to make sure he could walk that talk. He's even learned how to do some wicked wheelies.

"After rolling out of rehab, Hisham made it back to his university campus. He's been participating remotely so far but plans to be in person soon. As soon as he masters being back at school with mobility restrictions.

Hisham has left hospital after more than two months but is still unable to walk (ABC)

Jason Eaton is accused of shooting Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ahmed (Burlington Police)

"It's not easy. Many things are different. Daily life is so much more complicated now. Everything needs more effort, and that is so tiring. He has so much to learn, so many solutions to find, so many deep breaths to take.

"But he's alive. He is supported. He is determined. He has opportunities. He is grateful. Resilience is easier with resources. We are grateful."

The Burlington Police Department said in the days after the attack that the three victims were "walking on Prospect Street when they were confronted by a white male with a handgun". "The suspect was on foot in the area," a spokesperson for the force said. "Without speaking, he discharged at least four rounds from the pistol and is believed to have fled on foot."

Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad urged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions for a motive. "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," he said.

Jason Eaton was arrested the day after the attack and was charged with three counts of attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing a few days later.

Sam Truelove