Vermont Shooting: Police Seize Suspect's Shotgun Following Ex-Girlfriend's Plea

Police records reveal that the man accused of shooting three Palestinian college students in Vermont had a shotgun confiscated by police in upstate New York a decade ago, following a plea from his ex-girlfriend due to domestic disputes and concerns about his mental illness. The ex-girlfriend reported a history of domestic violence with the suspect, Jason Eaton. Although no criminal charges were filed, the shotgun was removed from the home and stored as evidence. It remains unclear if Eaton later reclaimed the gun. Eaton's past involvement with law enforcement includes 37 police reports, mostly for minor incidents. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, and civil rights groups are calling for additional hate crime charges.