“Reacher” series star Alan Ritchson acted in self-defense during an altercation with a Tennessee neighbor, which was recorded on video, according to police.
Video of the incident was first reported on by TMZ on Sunday and appears to show Ritchson punching a man in a blue shirt in the torso while he was on the ground. The video does not show what happened prior to the physical fight.
Brentwood Police Department said it investigated the Sunday incident and determined through both video and witness statements that Ritchson acted in self-defense.
Representatives for Ritchson did not respond to a request for comment.
Ritchson stars in Amazon’s series “Reacher,” which is based on the books by Lee Child. The lead character, Jack Reacher, is a former military policeman who solves crimes as a vigilante.
The neighbor, Ronnie Taylor, declined to comment to NBC News on Tuesday. He told TMZ that Ritchson and his two children had been riding motorbikes Sunday afternoon around the neighborhood at a fast speed and revving the engine loudly.
“I don’t wish the guy any malice or ill will, but we just don’t need people riding through neighborhoods like this,” Taylor said. “I just decided, you know, I’m gonna take a stand.”
Taylor told the outlet that he told Ritchson to slow down when the situation escalated.
Footage of Ritchson’s point of view was published to a social media account not associated with the actor. It appeared to be from a camera attached to his chest as he rode the bike.
The video was posted to TikTok. A spokesperson for the Brentwood Police Department confirmed that the video was authentic and part of an investigation into the altercation.
The video shows Ritchson riding on the motorbike when a man, Taylor, steps in front of the bike, forcing Ritchson to stop. Music appears to have been added to the video and plays over the sound of the two men speaking.
Ritchson approached Taylor and said Taylor threatened his safety. Taylor then points his finger as he criticized Ritchson for his behavior, saying he has been driving around “like a f—— lunatic, according to the video.
The actor walks away as Taylor urges him to “go ahead, call the police.” Ritchson appears to return to his bike to drive away, but it is unclear based on the angle whether he drives toward Taylor or whether Taylor approaches Ritchson.
“Move, dude,” Ritchson says before revving the bike engine. The two men make contac and Ritchson falls over.
Ritchson can been seen getting up, and the two shove each other. The “Reacher” star instructs Taylor to “stay down” after pushing him to the ground and appears to hit him when Taylor tries to get up. Ritchson then gets back on his bike and Taylor can be heard talking about contacting the police and saying, “by the way, your assaulting me is all on camera.”
Police cleared Ritchson of wrongdoing but said that a reckless endangerment charge was being considered. However, Ritchson declined to pursue charges, police said.
“With the agreement of the District Attorney’s Office, the case is now closed, and no further action will be taken,” police said.
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