24-year-old Nepali Man, a Recent Graduate, Killed in Shooting in Suburban Baltimore

A Nepali man was among four people killed in a neighborhood in suburban Baltimore in Maryland, on May 8, including the alleged mentally ill gunman who went on a shooting spree and then set his house on fire. Sagar Ghimire, 24, had just graduated from Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, in April, and had moved to the neighborhood — Woodlawn complex — about a week ago. His uncle, Kaptan Ghimire of Oakdale, California, told The Baltimore Sun that his nephew was hoping to attend graduate school and “plan his future.”

On May 8, neighbors called 911 to report a fire and an armed man in the 7500 block of Maury Road, Baltimore County police spokeswoman Joy Stewart told The Baltimore Sun. Officers and firefighters arrived together about 6:40 a.m. to find the shooter, later identified as 56-year-old Everton Brown, outside the burning homes, Stewart added. Brown also killed two other residents of the Parkview Crossing town house complex — Ismael Quintanilla, 41, and  Sara Alacote, 37 — before police shot him to death. Brown’s home and others nearby also were damaged by an explosion. 

According to a press release from the Baltimore County police, Ghirime and another unidentified person were shot when they came out of their homes to see what was going on. Ghimire “was later pronounced deceased,” while the other gunshot victim is recovering from his injuries.

Kaptan Ghimire and two of his children were to fly to Baltimore on May 10 to arrange funeral proceedings with the help of Maryland State Delegate Harry Bhandari, also from Nepal. As per The Baltimore Sun, Bhandari put Kaptan Ghimire in touch with a local funeral home. Bhandri also wants to help some of Ghimire’s family members in Nepal come to the U.S. for the memorial, “in spite of that country’s coronavirus lockdown procedures,” the report said. 

According to his uncle, Sagar Ghimire had hoped to use his education to give back to the needy in Nepal. While he studied in the U.S., Ghimire had arranged a fundraiser to help a Nepalese person who had contracted HIV pay for medical treatment. “If somebody needed help, he liked to help right away,” Kaptan Ghimire, 58, told The Baltimore Sun. “He was a bright light for everybody, his whole country.”

Kaptan Ghimire told The Baltimore Sun that Sagar Ghimire, who grew up in rural Nepal, faced tragedy at a very young age. When his mother, who had fallen ill from a heart condition, took a turn for the worst, Sagar Ghimire had to walk to the hospital with her on his back. Unfortunately, his mother never survived the journey. 

Frederick Uy, Ghimire’s friend at Claflin University, took to Facebook, to remember “ a presidential scholar, my suitemate, and a brother.” 

He continued: “I can still vividly remember when we had an extended and thorough conversation about our goals and aspirations in life. He was very passionate and had so many ideas on how he can make Nepal a much better place and improve poverty. He has such big dreams of changing the landscape of Nepal starting from his hometown and I was very inspired.”

He recalled asking him why he decided to study in America despite getting various offers from different universities. Uy said Ghimire told him he is here because he wants to pursue the “American Dream” and make an impact. 

“This makes me wonder if the ‘American Dream’ is even worth pursuing,” Uy asks. “Imagine going to another country, leaving your friends, family, and your whole life behind to start a new one. You studied hard every single day and prioritized working over having fun because you know that your family is relying on you. Then, just when you are about to celebrate your accomplishments, you were shot by a random person. Dead with dreams left behind.”