Video shows Palestinian American student paralyzed in Vermont shooting released from hospital to applause

Hisham Awartani, who was paralyzed from the chest down when he was among three Palestinian college students shot over Thanksgiving weekend in Vermont, was released Wednesday from a hospital to rousing applause, according to video shared by his family.

Hisham Awartani, who was paralyzed from the chest down when he was among three Palestinian college students shot over Thanksgiving weekend in Vermont, was released Wednesday from a hospital to rousing applause, according to video shared by his family.

In the 16-second clip, Awartani, 20, was strapped to a medical stretcher and covered by a red blanket as he waved goodbye with his right hand to onlookers in a hallway at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

The video was provided to NBC News by Rich Price, Awartani’s uncle.

It shows people standing on both sides of the hallway as a man pushes the stretcher. One side of the hallway is adorned with balloons in the red, white, black and green colors of the Palestinian flag. On the other side of the hallway, someone holds up what appears to be a flag from the war-torn region.

As Awartani is moved on the stretcher down the hallway, a woman’s voice appears to yell, “We love you.” Awartani then blows a kiss, and a woman hugs him. As he continues moving in the stretcher, people begin clapping. A woman’s voice is heard saying, “Bye, Hisham.” Awartani then shakes a hand while a man’s voice seems to say, “Love you," according to the video.