Dalen Risby, an 18-year-old male, had a promising future ahead of him that was tragically cut short on the morning of August 31, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee. He had recently graduated from Stratford High School and was just beginning his journey to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a chef, having started culinary arts classes at Nashville State Community College less than a week before his death.
His ambition was to travel the world as a cook on a cruise ship and one day open his own restaurant.
On that fateful late summer morning, Risby was found in a yard near Oakwood Park with four life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was rushed to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries during surgery. The sudden and violent end to a young life left his family and community in shock and grief. Those who knew him remembered him as a sweet, friendly, and uplifting individual with a passion for life and a gift for touching the lives of others through his kindness and his cooking.
For nearly a year, the case of Dalen Risby's murder remained without an arrest, leaving his loved ones waiting for justice. In June 2016, a significant development brought a sense of relief to the grieving family. Isaiah Berkley was indicted for the murder of Dalen Risby. At the time of the indictment, Berkley was already incarcerated on unrelated charges. The investigation revealed that the motive behind the shooting was a dispute between Berkley and Risby over a girl. It is believed that Berkley drove Risby from a nearby university campus to Oakwood Avenue, where the fatal shooting occurred.
Following his indictment, Isaiah Berkley was charged with first-degree premeditated murder. He was held without bond as he awaited legal proceedings. The arrest was a pivotal moment for Risby's family, who had been tirelessly seeking answers and justice for the senseless loss of their beloved son and brother. The news of an arrest offered a step towards closure in a case that had deeply affected the Nashville community.
