MMA fighter Shannon Ritch may be called “The Cannon” in the octagon, but in the parking lot, he will now be known as “The Handgun.” Just this past weekend, after returning from an event in Qatar, Ritch, who at 53-years-old still likes to mix it up in the ring, was at a Twin Peaks restaurant in Phoenix when a dispute over parking turned from an argument to an attempted knife attack and ultimately to a defensive shooting with Ritch winning the title of survivor.
No armbars or wheel kicks were used in the defense, a point that shows even someone with mad hand-to-hand skills like Ritch needs a little help from Messrs Glock, Smith and Wesson at times, especially when someone arrives with a blade and turns a simple disagreement into a Battle Royale.
According to Fox 10 News, this is how it basically went down:
The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. on June 15 after Ritch, who has a 58-90 record with four no contests in an MMA career that has spanned decades and is 26-3 in bareknuckle boxing, was confronted by 32-year-old Alejandro Samplina over a parking issue. According to Phoenix Police Sergeant Mayra Reeson, the altercation escalated when Samplina allegedly brandished a knife and began chasing Ritch around his vehicle.
“Ritch was able to retrieve his handgun from the open door of his vehicle. Samplina proceeded to walk towards Ritch with the knife in a threatening manner. In response, Ritch fired one round, striking Samplina,” Sgt. Reeson told Fox 10.
Samplina was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Ritch remained at the scene and provided a statement to police, asserting that he acted in self-defense. His claim was supported by witness testimonies and surveillance footage, leading police to release Ritch while the case is being reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office .
Shannon Ritch, whose MMA career includes titles such as the King of the Cage Middleweight Champion and the inaugural BKFC International Heavyweight Champion, has had a long and varied career in combat sports. He also works as an actor in stuntman in Hollywood and has appeared on episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger and in the CSI franchise as well as reality television and small roles in movies.
Despite his extensive training and experience, Ritch found himself in a situation where his physical skills alone were not enough to neutralize the threat posed by a much younger and armed aggressor.
As Ritch’s case shows, a gun can be the difference between your life and death when facing a life-threatening situation, regardless of one’s physical capabilities or training. For American gun owners, the takeaway in this situation is crystal clear: a firearm can be a necessary and game-changing tool when it comes to both the strongest and the weakest members of our society being able to defend themselves.
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