top of page
Writer's pictureVictor Nwoko

Nashville Father Beaten to Death While Trying to Break Up Fight at Top Golf Concert

Dahal Umesh died on July 2 after he was beaten and kicked in the head outside a concert in Nashville days earlier.
Dahal Umesh died on July 2 after he was beaten and kicked in the head outside a concert in Nashville days earlier.

A Nashville father of two, Dahal Umesh, was tragically beaten to death outside a Top Golf venue on Saturday evening while attempting to break up a fight during a concert.


Umesh was attending the music event with other members of Nashville’s Nepali community on the lower level of Top Golf — a national franchise of golf ranges — when the violent dispute erupted inside, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD).


Bishal Rai was identified as the suspect who kicked Umesh in the head.
Bishal Rai was identified as the suspect who kicked Umesh in the head.

The concert, hosted by the Nashville Nepalese Association, was held at The Cowan, a 635-person capacity live-performance venue on the lower level of Top Golf. The event featured the Nepali Rock Band “Mantra,” as stated on the organization’s Facebook page. The altercation eventually spilled into the parking lot, where the 41-year-old Umesh intervened in an attempt to defuse the situation.


"Umesh was reportedly trying to defuse the argument when he was punched, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete," the MNPD said Tuesday. As he lay on the ground, Umesh was kicked in the head.


Umesh was reportedly trying to break up the fight when he was punched.
Umesh was reportedly trying to break up the fight when he was punched.

Umesh succumbed to severe head injuries on Tuesday morning. Homicide detectives, who took over the investigation due to Umesh’s grave medical condition, identified the man they believe delivered the fatal kick and arrested him Monday evening.


Bishal Rai, 26, was arrested at his home in Antioch, about 14 miles southeast of the Top Golf. He was initially charged with aggravated assault, but the charge will be upgraded to criminal homicide following Umesh’s death. "A judicial commissioner ordered that Rai be held without bond pending a hearing," the MNPD stated.


Investigators are still looking for other concertgoers who may be responsible for Umesh's death.
Investigators are still looking for other concertgoers who may be responsible for Umesh's death.

Rai is currently held at the Nashville Downtown Detention Center and is not eligible for release: "ICE – Sent to ICE bondable," according to jail records viewed by The Post.


Rai had been charged last year with felony aggravated assault-strangulation, but the case was ultimately dismissed, according to court records. He is expected to appear in court Wednesday morning.


Following Rai’s arrest, detectives are still seeking other concertgoers who may have been involved in Umesh’s death. "The investigation is continuing into the potential involvement of other persons in the fatal assault on Umesh," the MNPD said.

Comments


Top Stories

bottom of page