Preparedness
Former MMA Fighter’s Deadly Encounter Exposes Everyday Dangers in Phoenix
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.
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A tragic incident in Michigan has resulted in a teenage boy facing severe charges after allegedly shooting another teen and fatally wounding the teen’s mother, who was trying to protect her son.
Anthony Deshawn Sneed, 15, is being charged as an adult with multiple serious offenses stemming from the incident that occurred on September 4th in Clinton Township.
The charges against Sneed include felony murder as a juvenile defendant, second-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, and four counts of felony firearm possession.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the conflict began when Sneed got into a fight with the son of Tanseen Sherrod.
During the altercation, Sneed allegedly stole a handgun from the other teen.
When Sherrod attempted to intervene in hopes of calming the situation, she was tragically shot by Sneed, authorities reported.
Details surrounding the exact nature of the fatal confrontation have not been made public.
The other teen involved in the incident was also shot and sustained critical injuries, though his current condition has not been disclosed.
Following the shooting, Sneed fled the scene but turned himself in to Detroit authorities the following day.
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An Arizona man has been charged with the murder of his childhood friend after the headless body of Alijah Bradley was discovered in the desert. The remains of the 24-year-old were found near Gila Bend, just days after his family had reported him missing.
Samuel Bush, 23, faces charges of second-degree intentional murder and concealing a body, with the charges being filed on September 4.
Bradley’s family was left puzzled over the motive behind the murder. A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their confusion to local news outlets KPHO and KTVK, stating, “We honestly don’t know. He was Sam’s best friend. He was Sam’s only friend.”
The family had reported Bradley missing on August 15 after he failed to show up for work and his mother had not heard from him. Bush had initially told the family he was unaware of Bradley’s whereabouts.
Using GPS coordinates, Bradley’s car was tracked to a remote desert location. On August 19, police found both the car and Bradley’s remains.
Authorities revealed that Bradley’s body had been dismembered, and confirmed that all parts of his remains had been recovered. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has yet to comment on a potential motive for the crime.
Bradley’s aunt, Melissa McNeal, shared her sorrow with ABC15, stating, “It’s devastating. He was just beginning his adulthood.” She added, “I don’t feel a relief or anything because – it doesn’t bring him back. It doesn’t fix anything.”
Bradley’s mother, who chose not to be named, committed herself to seeking justice for her son, saying, “I’m committing my life to obtaining justice for my son.”
Bradley was a Northern Arizona University graduate and had recently celebrated his birthday. A fundraising page set up for his family described him as being “known for his free spirit and wild soul.”
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A California family experienced a terrifying ordeal during their Labor Day picnic when their 5-year-old son was attacked by a mountain lion. The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Tapia Day Use Area of Malibu State Creek Park in Calabasas, as reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy’s family and several other adults and children were enjoying their time when the mountain lion suddenly grabbed the child by the head and began to run.
“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” the boy’s aunt recounted.
“The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”
The dramatic rescue unfolded in front of about 40 onlookers, some of whom noted that the mountain lion appeared completely unafraid during the attack.
Male mountain lions can weigh up to 150 pounds and measure up to 8 feet in length, making the father’s actions even more heroic.
The boy was promptly airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was released later that Sunday but had to return to the hospital on Monday due to complications involving his eyes.
Upon arrival at the scene, California State Park rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers found the mountain lion crouched in a tree near the picnic area.
The animal was deemed a threat to public safety and was euthanized by a ranger.
Wildlife officers collected evidence from the boy’s injuries, including DNA swabs from the bite marks, which were matched to the mountain lion.
“CDFW and State Park officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured,” the CDFW stated.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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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.
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.
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!