Shannon Ritch recently faced a terrifying ordeal.
The experienced mixed martial artist, who has competed in 152 fights with a record of 58 wins, 90 losses, and 4 no contests, was reportedly caught up in a confrontation in Phoenix, Arizona around 9:20 PM local time on June 15, 2024. The incident, as detailed by Fox 10 Phoenix, unfolded with Ritch, 53, fatally shooting 32-year-old Alejandro Samplina in a parking lot at Twin Peaks in Phoenix. Ritch claimed that the incident stemmed from a parking dispute and that Samplina had allegedly threatened him with a knife.
Phoenix Police Sergeant Mayra Reeson confirmed that Ritch defended himself by firing a shot at Samplina when he came at him menacingly with a knife. Eyewitnesses and video footage supported Ritch’s assertion of self-defense, leading to his release by law enforcement. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will assess any charges linked to the event at a later time.
Ritch’s most recent fight resulted in a quick submission defeat to Glenn Sparv in January 2020. He was gearing up for a boxing match at the QSM Promotions Rumble of Titans event in Doha, Qatar, where Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was set to face Shannon Briggs on June 8, 2024.
Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Ritch made his way to Doha for the fight, expressing optimism about future prospects on Instagram.
