Alan Ritchson won’t face criminal charges after an alleged physical dispute between the “Reacher” star and his Tennessee neighbor, the Brentwood Police Department, which was investigating the altercation, announced in a statement.
“After reviewing available evidence, including video footage and witness statements, authorities determined that no criminal charges will be pursued. Mr. Ritchson’s actions were found to be in self-defense,” Brentwood Police Captain Steven Pepin said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
Pepin explained that a “reckless endangerment charge was considered,” but Ritchson “declined to pursue charges” against his neighbor. He added that “the case is now closed, and no further action will be taken.”
In an interview with TMZ, which first reported the conflict, Ritchson’s neighbor, Ronnie Taylor, said the quarrel started to bubble over on Saturday morning, when he “heard this [incessant] revving” from the actor’s motorcycle. Then on Sunday afternoon, Ritchson came around again on his bike, along with his two children. After Ritchson rounded the block two times, Taylor allegedly went to confront the “War Machine” star.
“He rode past once, twice. On the second time, I walked outside in front of him and said, ‘You’ve got to stop,’” Taylor recalled to TMZ.
The video of the fight appears to show Ritchson hitting Taylor, who is on the ground, trying to return to his feet. Sources close to Ritchson told TMZ that the actor did not instigate the fight. The outlet reported that moments before the video was taken, Taylor caused Ritchson to fall off his bike and proceeded to push him to the ground.
