A fatal altercation over a parking spot in Phoenix, Arizona, resulted in the death of a man, allegedly at the hands of a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. Shannon Ritch, 53, known in the fighting world as “The Cannon,” claimed he shot 32-year-old Alejandro Samplina in self-defense during the dispute.
According to Ritch, Samplina was armed with a knife and pursued him around his vehicle before Ritch resorted to using his firearm on Saturday night. Phoenix Police Sgt. Mayra Reeson confirmed that Ritch was able to access his handgun from the open door of his vehicle during the incident.
The situation escalated when Samplina allegedly advanced towards Ritch in a threatening manner, knife in hand. In response, Ritch fired a single shot, hitting Samplina. The injured man was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Phoenix Police Department stated that both eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage supported Ritch’s version of events. Following an initial investigation, Ritch was released while the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office continues to review the charges.
Ritch is a seasoned MMA and bare-knuckle boxer, having participated in the inaugural Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He recently traveled to Doha, Qatar, to compete against Darrill Schoonover.
In addition to his fighting career, Ritch has also worked as a stuntman in several films. His upcoming project involves sharing the screen with actor Mel Gibson in the soon-to-be-released movie, “Boneyard.”