One Of Three Palestinian Students Shot In US May Never Walk Again: Report

"This absolutely was a hateful act," Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad told CNN Monday. "But whether or not we can cross the legal threshold in order to determine that it is a hate crime is a different matter."

One of the three 20-year-old Palestinian college students who were shot in Vermont, may never be able to move his legs again after a bullet struck his spine, CNN has reported.

Hisham Awartani, a Brown University student, is starting to come to terms with the "very long road he has in front of him" after he and two longtime friends from the Israeli-occupied West Bank were shot while strolling through Burlington on Saturday, his mother, Elizabeth Price, said.

"He's just a very resilient young man and he's been trying to keep everyone's spirits up by joking and just trying to be as calm as possible," Price said. "We are determined to work with him, support him and get the best possible care."