Sun Star
SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah - Speaking through translators in six languages, the police chief tried to calm fears in the community after the death of a 7-year-old Myanmar girl.
"I don't want this to ever happen again," Chris Snyder told more than 150 people who gathered Thursday night.
"I am mad about what happened. I am also very sad," the chief said.
The body of Hser Nay Moo was found Tuesday in another apartment at the South Parc complex, where her family and many other refugees from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, have settled.
A 21-year-old complex resident, Esar Met, is in custody for the killing and police say he admitted causing the death, but Snyderencouraged residents to participate in a neighborhood watch program and to be mindful of young children playing without supervision.
More than 500 refugees from Myanmar are living in Utah.
"Many people came here with dreams, and their assumptions are shattered when something like this happens," said Adam Capel, a social worker for Valley Mental Health.
Hser's father, Cartoon Wah, works at Deseret Industries, which is affiliated with the Mormon church, and her mother, Pearlie Wah, is a translator at the Granite School District.
Many residents spent years trapped in Thai refugee camps before arriving in America.
"We're scared, especially because American people will think refugee people from Burma are bad," said Bawmu Everest, referring to Hser's death and the suspect. "The belief and the trust in the refugees will be lower." (AP)
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