Vermont Grapples with Surge in Gun Violence

State sees 185% increase in firearms deaths as police investigate possible hate crime in shooting of Palestinian students.

Vermont, often ranked as one of the nation's safest states, is grappling with a spike in gun violence, with 10 homicides and one suspicious death since October.
The state saw a 185% increase in firearms deaths from 2021 to 2022, rising from seven to 20.
Many of the homicides are likely drug-related and isolated from each other, with fentanyl being a significant problem in the state.
The Vermont State Police, currently short-staffed with a 15% vacancy rate, are investigating the shootings and other violent crimes.
The shooting of three Palestinian college students in Burlington is being investigated as a possible hate crime.