Ritu Jha–
“Everybody’s life matters,” says the wife of a South Asian clerk who was set on fire when he tried to stop a shoplifter at his store in the San Francisco Bay Area. On September 22, Kendall Lavamon Burton (38) allegedly tried to burn Suraj, who works at Appian Food and Liquor, a convenience store in El Sobrante with a lighter.
Matt J. Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County, told indica that Burton has been charged with six felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon, arson causing bodily injury, robbery, and more.
“An arraignment occurred on September 27, and the defendant was remanded to custody with bail set at $5,000,000. The bail has not been posted. A further readiness conference is set for October 6, 2023, at 8:30 A.M. in Department 23,” Malone said.
Sabeena Parajuli wife of Suraj, the victim, told indica, “He usually doesn’t say when they come and shoplift. But this was his third time that day and he kept coming again and again. Suraj was in the restroom, and when he came out this man was again stealing the fluid lighter, it was then Suraj said, “Hey bro you have to go out and you cannot do this thing and the perpetrator was confronting and standing by the door.”
She said the guy threw kerosene fluid on him and Surai thought if he threw the fluid now he would try to burn me and so he was trying to stop him not to getting the lighter but he already had a light and lit it.”
Suraj is the eldest of the family three siblings. “He has to support his family back home in Nepal,” said Parajuli, who came to the US in 2018 from the Himalayan nation. The couple had married in 2015.
Parajuli said, “You come to this country for a better life and greater opportunities. Nobody has to go through this pain and trauma… At age 25, I felt completely devastated. Our parents are not here and I feel scared. The first two weeks I was traumatized; now feel I am able to talk.”
She said she was doing regular household chores when a co-worker called. By the time I reached the store, he was taken to the hospital. I was too much in shock to realize what was happening for 15 minutes. I was like, what’s going on. Everything was just a blur and there were so many policemen.”
Suraj was taken to Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. Parajuli told indica that Suraj has received second and third degree burns on his face, back of the neck, chest, shoulder, and hands. “His eye was badly swollen and he was not able to see properly. I thought it got damaged, but now doctors say it is okay.”
Parajuli has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for pay for Suraj’s hospital bills, and future treatment.
Preetesh Karki, President, Nepali Association of Northern California (NANC) told indica that there are about 30,000 Nepalis in and around the Bay area, and most of them have migrated within the past decade. “A majority of our population works in the retail and service industry,” he said. “We have considered this incident as an opportunity for the community to re-evaluate our workplace safety and standards. We are planning to host some workshops and seminars related to workplace violence and safety in the near future to keep our community more aware and hence safe.”
He added, “This young hard-working couple have always been active members of our community and have helped anyone in need. Now it’s our turn to help them back. So, I ask for everyone’s support. Please help,” Karki said.
Wife of South Asian store clerk set on fire by shoplifter speaks out
