A 24-year-old U.S. Army soldier originally from Nepal has died from a gunshot wound to the head during a military training exercise in Texas, according to family members.
Sunil Thapa, originally from Taplejung, Nepal, who migrated to the U.S. a few years ago, was killed around July 1, 2026, during advanced training following a recent promotion, his father, Hem Thapa, told Nepali news outlets. The incident is believed to have occurred at a U.S. Army training facility in Texas, though the specific location has not been officially confirmed.irmed.
Nearly a week after Thapa’s death, his family in New York said they have not received a clear official explanation of the circumstances.
“Nearly a week has passed since his death, but we have still not been able to obtain a clear account of the incident,” Hem Thapa said.
On Monday, U.S. Army officials met with the family in New York, but the meeting did not provide detailed information about how the accident occurred, the father said.
Army officials informed the family that the investigation into Thapa’s death could take as long as nine months to complete, according to Hem Thapa. He has called for a thorough and transparent investigation, urging authorities to disclose the full facts.
“I am demanding that the truth of the incident be properly investigated,” he said.
Thapa’s body has not yet been returned to his family. Relatives were told the body is expected to be released within a few days once required legal and administrative procedures are completed. The delay is tied to standard U.S. military and legal investigative protocols for the accidental death of a service member, according to family sources.
Thapa had recently been promoted and was participating in advanced training at the time of the incident, his family said. Further details about his rank, unit assignment and the specific training program have not been publicly disclosed.
Questions regarding how the gunshot wound occurred and whether standard safety protocols were followed are expected to be addressed as the investigation proceeds.
When a U.S. Army soldier dies during training, the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center typically lead the inquiry. They compile detailed reports that can take several months to finalize. In similar past training mishaps, the Army has noted that investigations may take “at least several months” before a final report is made public, and remains are not released until all necessary forensic and legal procedures are concluded.
Thapa’s death has sparked deep concern among the Nepali diaspora in the United States, particularly in New York, where his family resides. The family expressed gratitude for the support from the Nepali community and asked for continued patience as they await official findings and the return of Thapa’s body.
No official public statement from the U.S. Army confirming Thapa’s death or detailing the circumstances has been released.
Nepali community expresses grief
On social media, prominent Nepali artists and community leaders shared messages of condolence, describing Hem Thapa as a senior philanthropist and founder of the “Hem & Maya Foundation.”
Singer Junu Rijal described Hem Thapa as a person who earned millions through his profession—after years of driving a taxi day and night in the United States—and spent that money on social service, wiping away countless tears, saving people from death, becoming a companion in sorrow, and applying healing balm to wounds.
Rijal said that during floods, landslides, earthquakes and other disasters in Nepal, Hem Thapa extended help to helpless, needy, sick and suffering people, and that today this generous man has been struck by “God’s cruel hand” as his beloved youngest son, who was serving in the U.S. Army, lost his life in training.
“What could be a more black time for a father and mother than this?” Rijal wrote, expressing deep sorrow while saying that even a video of Hem Thapa at this moment showed that the Nepali organizations and associations in the United States had not offered proper sympathy, which he said made him feel even more heartbroken.
She urged all Nepali organizations to take on the role of guardians for the family at this time and not let them feel isolated.
Nabaraj KC said in a Facebook post that the news of the untimely death of Hem and Maya Thapa’s youngest son, who was serving in the U.S. Army, left him deeply grief-stricken. He offered prayers for the eternal peace of the deceased’s soul and expressed solidarity with the sorrowful family.
RC Marahatta said in his Facebook post that hearing about the sudden death of Sunil Thapa made him feel physically shaken and emotionally overwhelmed. He described Hem Thapa as a respected elder who, despite struggling to earn in the United States through hard day-and-night labor, applied healing to the pain of Nepalis in Nepal and around the world.
Marahatta called the death of Hem Thapa’s son in a U.S. Army accident “extremely painful”. He offered heartfelt condolences to the deceased and expressed deep sympathy with the entire family.
Singer Badri Pangeni, in a Facebook post, said that the news of the untimely death of the youngest son of Hem and Maya Thapa, founders of the “Hem & Maya Foundation” and senior social workers, left her deeply grief-stricken. She offered prayers for the eternal peace of the deceased’s soul and extended sympathy to the sorrowful family.
Author and lyricist Passang Sherpa said in his Facebook post that the news of the untimely death of Hem and Maya Thapa’s youngest son, who was serving in the U.S. Army, left him deeply grief-stricken. He offered heartfelt condolences to the deceased and expressed sympathy to the Thapa family and all relatives.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
