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Former MMA Fighter’s Deadly Encounter Exposes Everyday Dangers in Phoenix

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In a recent case that goes to show that danger can lurk in the most mundane of situations, a former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter found himself in a life-or-death situation in a Phoenix, Arizona parking lot. According to local authorities, the ex-combatant was forced to rely on his survival instincts and revert to using deadly force to protect himself.

As detailed by the Phoenix police department, they received a distress call regarding a shooting incident near 31st Avenue and Beardsley Road in northern Phoenix. The call came in around 9:20 p.m. on a Saturday, casting a somber end to what was otherwise a typical weekend night.

The person at the center of the incident was 53-year-old Shannon Ritch, formerly known as “Shannon the Canon” in his MMA days. According to eyewitnesses and corroborated by surveillance footage, Ritch was embroiled in a dispute over a parking space with 32-year-old Alejandro Samplina outside the popular local watering hole, Twin Peaks.

In a statement to the police, Ritch claimed that Samplina had brandished a knife and threatened him during their spat over the parking spot. In response, Ritch retrieved a handgun from his car.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Mayra Reeson recounted the incident: “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.”

Despite Ritch’s lethal reaction, authorities have confirmed that they were able to recover the weapon used in the fatal engagement. Samplina, unfortunately, did not survive his gunshot wound and was declared dead upon transportation to the hospital.

In a show of cooperation, Ritch remained at the scene to provide his statement to the police. Following their initial investigation, which included corroborating Ritch’s self-defense claim with witnesses and surveillance video, the police released him.

The case is now in the hands of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which will review any charges that might be filed against Ritch.

Before his involvement in this tragic incident, Ritch was known for his exploits in the ring as a bare knuckle boxer and MMA fighter, and even worked as a stunt man in Hollywood movies. He’s expected to appear in an upcoming Mel Gibson film, “Boneyard.”

Ritch’s last fight in the ring was in 2019, according to ESPN. He had recently returned from a bout in Doha, Qatar. He is recognized as the Middleweight Champion for the King of the Cage tournament.

In a broader context, Phoenix has reported a significant reduction in its homicide rate by about 40% in the first quarter of 2024, in comparison to the same time the previous year. This trend is not limited to Phoenix, as other U.S. cities have also reported decreases in their respective homicide rates in early 2024.

The decrease in crime rates, however, hasn’t done much to alleviate the concern of Americans. Recent surveys indicate that worry over crime rates has surged across all political spectrums, with 68% of Republicans expressing concern, trailing closely by Democrats at 47%. FBI statistics underline this seeming contradiction, showing that violent crime has halved from 747 instances per 100k people in 1993 to 380 instances per 100k in 2023.

Perhaps even more impressively, property crime has seen a significant decrease, from nearly 5k instances per 100k people in 1993 to fewer than 2k instances per 100k people in 2023. Despite these encouraging figures, it’s clear that incidents like the one involving Ritch and Samplina remind us that the specter of violence can present itself when least expected.


Do you believe the former MMA fighter was justified in using lethal force to handle a parking dispute, based on the principles of self-defense?

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Keoni May

    June 30, 2024 at 2:18 pm

    When a knife is displayed, during a heated argument, even a trained unarmed fighter, is at a disadvantage. The person with the knife, will always have an advantage, in a street fight. In prison & in jail, an inmate with a knife, most of the time, wins the fight. To strongly believe, that even a trained martial artist, has an advantage over a person with a knife, doesn’t understand reality.

  2. SV

    June 30, 2024 at 3:38 pm

    I don’t know who you are trying to kid, but crime and property is not down. The people actually caught and going to jail down. Our blue city is like all others. Criminals walk, political opponents are charged.

  3. Paul

    June 30, 2024 at 5:07 pm

    Never bring a knife to a gun fight, or FAFO. He did! The idiot bit off more than he could chew!

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Preparedness

German Activist Fined After Surviving Brutal Attack at Rally

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In a striking turn of events, a German activist known for his vocal criticism of political Islam has been fined by a regional court, following an attack on him earlier this year. Michael Stürzenberger, an activist with the Citizens’ Movement, Pax Europa, was among those injured during a stabbing spree by an Afghan migrant at an anti-jihad rally in Mannheim on May 31. The violent incident left him with severe injuries, including a stab wound to the thigh and a “gaping open wound” on his face.

Despite these traumatic events, Stürzenberger found himself facing legal repercussions for statements made at a rally in 2020. The Hamburg District Court had initially sentenced him to six months in prison for incitement, a decision that he appealed. Although the sentence was later suspended, the court ultimately upheld the conviction, imposing a fine of $3,804.65.

The charges against Stürzenberger stemmed from his comments on German immigration policy and his critique of political Islam. At the rally, he had pointed out that Muslim migrants from certain regions were disproportionately involved in crimes, and emphasized the need to address the influence of political Islam on women’s rights.

Stürzenberger clarified his stance, stating, “I have always spoken about political Islam. Always said: It is not against Muslims!” He further explained, “My criticism is only directed against the dangerous components of the ideology and those radicals who commit acts of violence as a result of it.”

The activist’s conviction is part of a broader trend in Germany, where individuals have faced legal consequences for expressing concerns about the impacts of mass immigration. This has been a contentious issue, especially as reports indicate a rise in violent crimes linked to immigrant populations.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser recently acknowledged challenges associated with young men of migrant backgrounds, who are often involved in acts of violence. She emphasized the need for effective education and integration programs to address these issues.

The situation has further highlighted safety concerns in German cities, with certain areas becoming increasingly unsafe for minorities. Berlin’s chief of police, Barbara Slowik, advised caution for individuals in specific neighborhoods, particularly those with significant Arab populations.

These developments underscore the complexities and tensions surrounding immigration and integration in Germany. As the country grapples with these issues, the case of Michael Stürzenberger serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between free expression and the need to address hate speech.


How should countries balance personal safety, free speech, and legal rights in cases involving criticism of religious or political groups?

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Preparedness

Clerk’s Quick Reaction Sparks Debate on Self-Defense Rights

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In a recent incident that has sparked considerable debate, a New Orleans convenience store clerk fatally shot a 16-year-old armed robber during an attempted robbery. The event unfolded when two armed individuals entered the store, demanding cash. Surveillance footage captured 16-year-old Cecil Batiz pointing a gun with an extended magazine at the clerk working at the cell phone counter of Sam’s Meat Market.

As the situation escalated, Batiz was seen stuffing cash and other items into his pockets. The other suspect, 18-year-old Teony Juarez, was wearing a black ski mask. As the suspects attempted to leave the store, the clerk retrieved a firearm and discharged it, striking Batiz in the abdomen, causing him to collapse. The surveillance video further showed the clerk stepping out of camera view, only to return moments later and fire additional shots at Batiz as he lay on the store floor. Batiz succumbed to his injuries later at a hospital.

Juarez, in the midst of the chaos, returned fire and sustained an injury to his right forearm while fleeing the scene. An unidentified woman transported Juarez to a hospital, where he was treated and subsequently arrested. Juarez faces multiple charges, including armed robbery, aggravated battery, and illegal use of a weapon, with his bond set at $170,000.

The store clerk has not been charged, and Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino expressed skepticism about the likelihood of charges being filed.
“That clerk was in an obviously high-stress situation and saw the perpetrator still moving with a gun, and it’s hard to second-guess his decision to use deadly force yet again.”

Ciolino also clarified that under Louisiana law, Juarez cannot be charged for Batiz’s death, as the fatal act was committed by the victim, not a co-felon.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams refrained from delving into case specifics but remarked,
“Once somebody puts a gun in your face, the rules change.”
He further noted,
“It’s painfully obvious to anyone who saw that video what those two people were doing in that store, and that shop owner did not ask for that exchange.”

Williams, who was elected in December 2020 with support from a PAC funded by George Soros, has recently undergone a shift in perspective regarding crime and punishment. This change came after a personal experience where he and his 78-year-old mother were victims of a carjacking. Following the incident, Williams recused himself from the carjacking case and acknowledged a transformation in his views, even reversing some of his previous campaign promises.


Should store clerks have the right to use a firearm in self-defense if threatened with a gun during a robbery?

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Daring Homeowner Defends Home Against Burglar, Ignites Wild Police Chase

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In a dramatic sequence of events in Sacramento, California, a homeowner took action against a suspected burglar, setting off a chain of incidents that culminated in a high-speed police chase. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office reported the initial burglary attempt occurred around 3 p.m. on Chandler Drive in south Sacramento.

Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department, described the suspect as a “lifelong criminal” with a history spanning over two decades. “Theft charges, gun charges, drug charges — you name it, he’s got everything under the sun,” Gandhi remarked, highlighting the suspect’s extensive criminal past.

The alleged thief, identified as 40-year-old Emelio Correa, attempted to force his way into a home. Despite the family’s efforts to deter him by shouting for him to leave, Correa persisted. Authorities revealed that the homeowner, a legal gun owner, fired at least one shot, striking Correa in the hand. Blood evidence was reportedly left at the scene.

The confrontation left a visible mark, with police investigating a front-entrance window that bore a large bullet hole. However, the incident did not end there.

Correa managed to enter a different residence shortly after. The owner of this second home, Cuong Nguyen, explained that the suspect gained access because the front door had been inadvertently left unlocked. Once inside, Correa found keys on a truck’s front seat in the garage.

Nguyen, who was not present during the break-in, recounted how Correa drove the truck through the garage door, leaving half of it “in the middle of the street” upon Nguyen’s return. This theft led to a high-speed pursuit on Highway 99.

The chase concluded when Correa encountered spike strips near Arno Road, causing the truck to roll into a ditch. He was subsequently taken into custody.

Correa suffered minor injuries and is currently held in Sacramento County jail on a $100,000 bond. He faces four felony charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

The incident underscores the importance of home security and the unpredictable nature of criminal activity, as even a brief lapse in vigilance can lead to significant consequences.


Should homeowners have the right to use firearms to defend their property against suspected burglars?

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