Father beaten to death while trying to break up fight outside Top Golf in Nashville

A 41-year-old father of two was beaten to death during a fight outside a Nashville, Tennessee Top Golf, where a concert of Nepali music was being held, on Saturday. Dahal Umesh was beaten up by those involved in the scuffle after stepping in to try and end the violence. He was taken to the hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. 

The suspect who allegedly delivered the blow that ended Umesh's life has been identified as 26-year-old Bishal Rai. He was taken into custody on Monday and is currently being held without bond as he awaits a hearing. He was originally charged with aggravated assault, however because Umesh later died, that will be upgraded to criminal homicide.

According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the incident took place late Saturday night outside Top Golf on Cowan Street. Umesh and other members of the Nepali community were attending a concert at a venue on the lower level of Top Golf when "a dispute erupted inside, causing persons to go into the parking lot."

"Umesh," the MNPD explained, "was reportedly trying to defuse the argument when he was punched, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete. He was then kicked in the head while on the ground." The 41-year-old passed away on Tuesday morning from what were described as "severe head injuries."

Homicide Unit detectives began their investigation on Monday and identified Rai as the man who allegedly "kicked Umesh in the head." Detectives with the Specialized Investigations Division located Rai at his home on Bombadil Lane in Antioch and arrested him. Investigators are still in the process of determining whether others involved in the brawl played a part in Umesh's death.

As the New York Post reports, Rai was charged in 2023 with felony aggravated assault for allegedly strangling someone, however the case was dismissed.