Reacher star Alan Ritchson acted in self defense in a recent fight with a neighbor that went viral on the internet, and will not face criminal charges, according to local police.
Tennessee police said the 43-year-old action movie giant acted in self-defense in a confrontation with neighbor Ronnie Taylor on Sunday. Ritchson hit the headlines when TMZ published a video showing Ritchson striking Taylor several times as Taylor kneeled on the ground in a suburban neighborhood in Tennessee, with Ritchson’s two children watching while sitting on motorbikes.
🚨🎥 EXCLUSIVE: “Reacher” star Alan Ritchson might’ve thought he was still shooting an episode of his popular show Sunday, because he allegedly beat the hell out of a neighbor in Tennessee. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ljz3oEFGI0
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 23, 2026
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, the Brentwood police department issued a statement on Tuesday night confirming Ritchson had declined to pursue a potential charge against Taylor, and their investigation had concluded.
“After reviewing available evidence, including video footage and witness statements, authorities determined that no criminal charges will be pursued,” the police said. “Mr Ritchson’s actions were found to be in self-defense. 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.”
TMZ’s original report included comments from Taylor, who said he’d asked Ritchson repeatedly to stop making noise on his motorbike in the street. Taylor later admitted: “I did push him because he was coming towards me on his bike. He did it again for a second time. I pushed him a second time, and I think the second time he got off his bike and he kicked the crap outta me.”
EXCLUSIVE: The guy “Reacher” star Alan Ritchson beat up on video is explaining how the fight started in the first place. pic.twitter.com/qNW2B4TaND
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 23, 2026
The initial footage released by TMZ did not show how the altercation began. Following the release of the story, Ritchson’s bodycam footage hit the internet, showing Taylor walking into the street in the way of Ritchson’s bike, which resulted in Ritchson going over the handlebars. Ritchson shoves Taylor, then, after a verbal exchange (Taylor accuses Ritchson of “driving around this f***ing neighborhood like a f***ing lunatic”), Ritchson returns to his bike to leave, but Taylor follows him and shoves him, leading to the fight. Striking Taylor to the ground, Ritchson says: “F***ing outta your goddamn mind? Stay down. You f***ing stupid? Jesus christ.”
😳 “Reacher” star Alan Ritchson’s body cam footage of his bloody fight with his neighbor is released. pic.twitter.com/Hxixghh9e9
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 24, 2026
While Ritchson has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, he did post a strategic maxim attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, advising patience and restraint, to Instagram: “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”
Ritchson is coming off the back of Netflix hit War Machine, and is set to star in Reacher Season 4 on Prime Video at some point this year.
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
