Alan Ritchson won’t face crim*nal charges in fight with neighbor as cops say Reacher star acted in self-defense
Authorities in Tennessee have concluded their investigation into the dust-up, which was partly captured on video.
Alan Ritchson will not face criminal charges following a reported altercation in Brentwood. Authorities reviewed the incident and determined that the actor acted in self-defense, bringing the case to a close.
“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.
EW has reached out to representatives for Ritchson and to Taylor for comment.
As previously reported, 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.
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.
Though Ritchson did not directly address the situation, the actor posted a cryptic message on Instagram on Monday night. “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake,” his post read, attributing the quote to Napoléon Bonaparte. Many commenters assumed that the post was alluding to his alleged confrontation with Taylor.
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.”
Another video of the incident subsequently emerged on social media, this time allegedly from Ritchson’s bodycam. The video appears to show Ritchson driving through his neighborhood at 19 to 23 mph, when Taylor appears to stand in the middle of the street blocking Ritchson’s path. The move causes the actor to swerve off course and fall off his bike. When Ritchson angrily approaches Taylor, asking if he’s “out of your f—ing mind,” Taylor begins yelling at the actor and accuses him of “driving around like a f—ing lunatic!”
Ritchson walks away and climbs back on his bike as Taylor continues yelling at his back, cursing at him. When Ritchson starts up his bike to resume riding, Taylor appears to stand in front of his path, daring the actor to “Run me over.”
Ritchson is heard telling Taylor to “move,” to which Taylor yells, “No,” and yells at the actor: “You move!”
Taylor and Ritchson then appear to get into an altercation which causes the actor to fall from his bike once more. Taylor is then seen on the ground.
Ritchson then rides off on his bike with his sons behind him, resuming a maximum speed of 23 mph.
