Vermont Man Faces Trial for Shooting Palestinian Students, Claims CIA Orders

A Vermont man is on trial for shooting three Palestinian students, claiming he was ordered by the CIA. The case has sparked national attention.

Editorial Desk

September 15, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Burlington, United States — A Vermont man is facing trial for allegedly shooting three Palestinian college students, claiming he was acting on orders from the CIA and Mossad. Jason Eaton, 51, has pleaded not guilty but does not dispute that he fired the shots.

Eaton’s defense argues he was suffering from a delusional disorder and believed he was receiving messages from U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies through FM radio. He claimed God instructed him to protect his Jewish neighbors. Prosecutors, however, argue that Eaton was fully aware of his actions and had no legal justification for the shooting.

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The November 2023 incident occurred weeks after the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The victims, all 20 at the time, were walking near the University of Vermont campus when they were attacked. Two of them were wearing traditional Palestinian scarves, and one was paralyzed from the waist down in the attack. Eaton faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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