Alan Ritchson is in the clear.
Local police concluded that the Reacher star acted in self-defense during an explosive fight with his neighbor, Ronnie Taylor, on Sunday in the Nashville suburb of Brentwood, Tennessee. As such, police have closed the investigation and will not pursue any charges in the matter, which stemmed from an altercation involving the two men over Ritchson’s motorcyle which Taylor claimed was causing a noise disturbance.
“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 The Hollywood Reporter.
Pepin added that Ritchson declined to pursue any charges against his neighbor, who admitted that he instigated the physical contact. “Although a potential reckless endangerment charge was considered, Mr. Ritchson declined to pursue charges. With the agreement of the District Attorney’s Office, the case is now closed, and no further action will be taken,” per Pepin.
TMZ broke the story over the weekend by publishing a video that featured Ritchson in an altercation with Taylor. The man later told the outlet that the situation unfolded over two days, beginning on Saturday when he claims to have witnessed Ritchson speeding through the neighborhood on a motorcycle and causing a disturbance. Taylor then claimed that he spotted Ritchson on his motorcycle again, this time on Sunday joined by two individuals also on motorbikes, a pair that happened to be the actor’s young sons.
Taylor confronted Ritchson in the street at which point the situation allegedly turned physical with Taylor admitted on TMZ Live that he was the one who instigated the physical contact by shoving Ritchson and pushing him off his Kawasaki. The outlet also reported that Taylor “dared Alan to hit him” while Ritchson was still on the ground, though the actor tried to leave the scene until he was shoved by Taylor.
More to come.
