Jason Eaton's mom reveals mental health issues as Palestinian students shooting suspect pleads not guilty

BURLINGTON, VERMONT: Mary Reed, the mother of 48-year-old Jason Eaton, opened up about her son's previous struggles with depression after the latter was arrested on the afternoon of November 26, 2023.

Eaton has been identified as a subject in the shooting of three Palestinian college students on the night of November 25. He is currently being held without bail after pleading not guilty to three counts of attempted murder in the second degree.

The triple shooting took place near the apartment building where the accused lives.

What did Mary Reed say about the incident?

Eaton's mother Mary Reed reportedly told the Daily Beast that her son had been in “such a good mood” with his family during Thanksgiving. He used to suffer from depression and other mental health issues but seemed better just days before the shooting.

“It was the best Thanksgiving we had in years. We were all together,” she said.

Eaton did not mention the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas during the holidays, claimed Reed, adding that her son is a “very religious person”, who connects with different religious figures and often reads the Bible.

She had left him with a Christmas tree, assuming that he would spend the weekend decorating it.

“Jason has had a lot of struggles in his life but he is such a kind and loving person. I am just shocked by the whole thing," she added.

Reed said that she became aware of the shooting early November 27, when she was informed by her daughter.

"I just don’t understand. I can’t believe he would do something like this,” Reed said.

Who were the victims of the triple shooting?

According to the New York Post, Brown University student Hisham Awartani, Trinity University student Tahseen Ali Ahmad, and Haverford College student Kinnan Abdalhamid were shot on November 25 while they were on their way to a family dinner.

Officials state that two of the victims are in stable condition, while the injuries of the third are more grievous. The motive of the shooting is still under investigation.

Eaton was arrested after a search of his property provided investigators with probable cause to consider him a suspect.

Court documents state that a Ruger .380 pistol, a loaded magazine containing five rounds, as well as more ammunition were found in Eaton’s bedroom dresser.