Days after Reacher star Alan Ritchson made headlines for an alleged altercation with his Nashville-area neighbor, Tennessee police have released an official statement on their investigation into the incident.
“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 tells Entertainment Weekly.
The captain adds that “although a potential reckless endangerment charge was considered,” the actor ultimately “declined to pursue charges” against his neighbor. “With the agreement of the District Attorney’s Office, the case is now closed, and no further action will be taken,” Pepin says.
As previously reported, the actor’s neighbor Ronnie Taylor made claims that Ritchson beat him up after an argument over the weekend about the noise and speed of the actor’s motorbike. TMZ released video of the altercation hours after Taylor alleged it took place.
Alan Ritchson on ‘Reacher’
Credit: Jasper Savage/Prime
Taylor claimed that he first approached Ritchson after the actor’s first pass through the neighborhood of their Nashville suburb on Saturday. He said he approached him from “quite a ways away” and asked, “‘Can you slow it down please?'” The next day, Taylor said he approached Ritchson about his speed again, this time while he was riding motorbikes with his sons. Taylor claimed that he asked Ritchson to “f‑‑‑ ing stop this please,” which is when he said things turned physical.
“He rode past once, twice. On the second time, I walked outside in front of him and said, ‘You’ve got to stop,'” Taylor told TMZ.
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Video recorded from a nearby home appears to show Taylor on the ground while Ritchson punches him at least three times while his kids observe on motorbikes nearby. In his interview with TMZ, Taylor said Ritchson “kicked the crap out of” him.
Taylor seemingly continues to confront Ritchson, who puts on his helmet and returns to his bike.
“I don’t really wish the guy any malice or ill will, but we just don’t need people riding through neighborhoods like this,” Taylor previously told TMZ. “I just decided I’m going to take a stand because someone has to, or it’s going to end up way worse.”
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