The viral feud between \u201cReacher\u201d star Alan Ritchson and his neighbor has come to an end, with neither facing criminal charges. <\/p>\n
The Brentwood Police Department in Tennessee confirmed to The Times on Tuesday that authorities would not pursue criminal charges against the 43-year-old actor. Ritchson became the subject of headlines and scrutiny Monday after TMZ published video of the actor engaging in a violent altercation with his neighbor over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Police said authorities reviewed \u201cvideo footage and witness statements\u201d and found that the actor acted in self-defense. Ritchson also declined to press charges against his neighbor, police said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith the agreement of the District Attorney\u2019s Office, the case is now closed, and no further action will be taken,\u201d police said in a statement.<\/p>\n
A representative for Ritchson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. <\/p>\n
The viral confrontation broke out Sunday in the suburban city of Brentwood, Tenn., and included the actor punching a man down to the ground multiple times, according to TMZ\u2019s initial video<\/a> of the squabble. The footage, seemingly recorded by a witness from a window of their home, also shows Ritchson attempting to pick up his motorcycle, which then veers onto the grassy patch by the sidewalk while his two sons, also on motorbikes, watch the confrontation play out. The other man, after getting to his feet, appears to continue scolding Ritchson before the actor and his family drive off. <\/p>\n The man on the receiving end of Ritchson\u2019s punches was neighbor Ronnie Taylor, who accused the actor of speeding on his Kawasaki motorbike through the affluent suburb, revving his engine and \u201cdisturbing the peace.\u201d Taylor told the TMZ in its initial report he flashed an obscene hand gesture at Ritchson, who allegedly reciprocated the action. <\/p>\n Tensions between the neighbors allegedly came to a head Sunday when the actor and his sons rode their motorbikes through the neighborhood, TMZ reported. Taylor reportedly approached Ritchson, pleading to \u201cstop this please.\u201d That reportedly led to the altercation, which allegedly left Taylor with bruises and swelling. Taylor said he reported the incident to police. <\/p>\n Taylor, calling in to TMZ<\/a> on Monday, said he walked in front of Ritchson as the actor was riding through the neighborhood and voiced his concerns for the neighborhood\u2019s safety. <\/p>\n \u201cIt escalated quite quickly from there, I did push him because he was coming towards me on his bike,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cI pushed him a second time.\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor added: \u201cHe kicked the crap out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n A source close to Ritchson denied Taylor\u2019s claim that the actor began the altercation, telling TMZ on Monday that Taylor had pushed Ritchson off his bike twice and and ran into the street in an attempt to stop the actor\u2019s bike in a \u201creally aggressive manner.\u201d The source also told the outlet that Ritchson crashed, fell off his motorcycle and incurred cuts and bruises.<\/p>\n Ritchson, according to the source, attempted to defuse the situation after Taylor allegedly dared him to get physical. However, the source claims Taylor shoved Ritchson to the ground first, prompting the actor to throw punches. TMZ reported that Ritchson \u201chas been cooperative with the police.\u201d<\/p>\n A new perspective of the confrontation became public Tuesday as TMZ published video<\/a> from Ritchson\u2019s body camera. The footage shows Taylor standing in Ritchson\u2019s way, the two men exchanging expletives and Taylor scolding Ritchson and calling him a \u201cf\u2014 lunatic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI should\u2019ve run you over, dude,\u201d Ritchson says about a minute into the three-minute video, which appears to record the entirety of the confrontation. <\/p>\n Ritchson, a former model and \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d hopeful, is best known for portraying the powerful and highly intelligent leading man of Prime Video\u2019s \u201cReacher.\u201d The show, an adaptation of Lee Child\u2019s \u201cJack Reacher\u201d book series, premiered in 2022 and is set to return this year for its fourth season, according to Ritchson.<\/a><\/p>\n Hours before the police announcement, Ritchson on social media hinted at an \u201cenemy\u201d of some sorts. The \u201cWar Machine\u201d actor chimed in on the discourse surrounding his neighborhood squabble with a simple Instagram post<\/a> quoting famed French emperor and tactician Bonaparte. <\/p>\n \u201cNever interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake,\u201d reads the plain post of black text over a white backdrop.<\/p>\n