President Biden Condemns Gun Violence and Hate in Wake of Burlington Shooting

Burlington, Vermont was the site of a shooting over the weekend, prompting President Joe Biden to issue a statement on Monday condemning violence and hate in America.

Jason James Eaton, 48, was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder in the second degree. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail at the Northwest State Correctional Facility.

According to Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad, when law enforcement agents approached Eaton, he held out his empty palms at his waist and said, “I’ve been waiting for you.” When asked why, Eaton requested a lawyer and advised that he had a gun in the apartment. Murad described Eaton’s demeanor as “shakiness and a sense of concern,” but also “something of a lack of affect.”

In his statement, President Biden said, “We join Americans across the country in praying for their full recovery, and we send our deepest condolences to their families.” He added, “While we are waiting for more facts, we know this: There is absolutely no place for violence or hate in America.”

The shooting in Burlington, Vermont comes amid a rise in gun violence across the country. Far too many Americans know a family member injured or killed as a result of gun violence. President Biden’s statement serves as a reminder that violence and hate have no place in America.