Dahal Umesh, a 41-year-old father from Nashville, Tennessee, lost his life after getting involved in a fight outside a Topgolf venue on the evening of June 29, 2024. Umesh was trying to mediate an escalating argument when he was violently attacked.
Umesh, part of the local Nepali community in Nashville, was at a concert hosted by the Nashville Nepalese Association at the time of the incident. The event was taking place on the lower level of Topgolf on Cowan Street, where Umesh was enjoying a performance by the Nepali rock band, “Mantra.”
According to reports from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the altercation shifted to the parking lot where Umesh attempted to defuse the tension. He was struck, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete. While down, he was kicked multiple times. Umesh was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.
The primary suspect, 26-year-old Bishal Rai, was apprehended at his Antioch, Nashville residence. Initially, Rai faced charges of aggravated assault, but following Umesh’s death, the charges were elevated to criminal homicide. Rai, who was previously charged with felony aggravated assault-strangulation in a separate case that was later dismissed, is currently being held without bond awaiting a hearing.
Investigators also arrested Roshan Subba-Lawati, 24, and Kishor Tamang-Bhaii, 22. Police say both men were involved in the fight and both face criminal homicide charges.
Umesh’s untimely death left his wife, Damanta Kafley Dahal, and their two young daughters in deep grief. Friends and family are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a man known for his generous spirit. “He was always the first to step in and help,” shared a family friend. “We are devastated by his loss.”
All three men are jailed in the Downtown Detention Center.
What was supposed to be a night of community celebration and bonding turned into a nightmare with the tragic incident.
