Bethesda man dies after being punched outside bar, alleged assailant arrested

A Silver Spring man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, after a man he allegedly punched outside of a bar in Bethesda later died from his injuries. Montgomery County police say Darrel David Nixon, 31, became involved in a dispute outside of La Catrina Bar & Lounge at 4935 Cordell Avenue early in the morning of February 15, 2025. Surveillance camera footage reviewed by detectives shows Nixon arguing with Morgan Andrew Hippchen Stone, 44, of Bethesda. At one point in the dispute, police allege, Nixon punched Hippchen Stone, who lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services personnel arrived at the scene at 2:37 AM, and found Hippchen Stone laying in the street, unconscious and unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital, where he tragically died from his injuries almost a month later, on March 9. On April 22, the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, caused by blunt force head injuries.

Starting with the surveillance video, detectives developed their investigation, and ultimately identified Nixon as their suspect. He was arrested Tuesday, and was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.