Murdered Refugee Sought Better Life For His Family

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- It was a difficult life for 21-year-old Hari Adhikari.

As a young boy he was a refugee from Bhutan, shuttled from his homeland to live in a hut in neighboring Nepal.

After 18 years, his family came to America to pursue dreams of a new life, settling with other Bhutanese refugees off Philips Highway.

But Sunday night just before midnight, the dreams ended for Adhikari's family. The young man had stepped out of the family's Stonemont Village Apartment to make a phone call when he was approached by a man with a gun.

Eyewitnesses told First Coast News Adhikari raised both hands over his head in a position of surrender, but the man fired once into his chest at point blank range, killing him, before running off.

Monday morning, with his blood still on the parking lot blacktop, friends and family gathered to offer support and prayers for the young man's family.

Hari Adhikari had been working as an overnight stock clerk at the WalMart on Philips Highway, about a mile from home. Friends say Hari walked to and from work. It was a job he just started a few weeks ago, to help his parents and siblings pay their rent and utilities.

But now this family and community is planning a funeral and cremation to be held in thirteen days, in accordance with Hindu tradition.

Friends told First Coast News the elders among the Bhutan refugees are now questioning whether it was the right decision to come to this land of opportunity, as jobs have been scarce, and several of their people have been violently robbed. Crimes that pale in comparison after the violent death of a young man who only wanted a better life.

If you have any information that can help police, call our partner First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. You will remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your information leads to an arrest.

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