150-Fight MMA Veteran Shannon Ritch Claims Self Defense in Phoenix Shooting

Longtime mixed martial arts veteran Shannon Ritch shot and killed a man in a parking lot dispute outside of Phoenix restaurant, according to a report from Fox 10 Phoenix.

According to a police investigation, Ritch, 53, and Alejandro Samplina, 32, were involved in a confrontation regarding an issue over parking outside of a Twin Peaks on June 15. Ritch allegedly shot and killed Samplina after he claimed that Samplina chased him around his car with a knife.

"Ritch was able to retrieve his handgun from the open door of his vehicle. Samplina proceeded to walk towards Ritch with the knife in a threatening manner. In response, Ritch fired one round, striking Samplina," Phoenix Police Sgt. Mayra Reeson told Fox 10.

Samplina died at a local hospital, per the report. Police released Ritch after he “provided a self-defense claim consistent with witnesses and surveillance video.” The exact nature of the argument remains unclear.

Ritch made his professional MMA debut in 1998 and has compiled a 58-88 record with four no contests over the course of a lengthy career. During that tenure, “The Cannon” has competed for organizations such as Pride Fighting Championships, King of the Cage, Pancrase and M-1 Global, to name a few. The Arizona native has squared off against the likes of Yves Edwards, Jake Shields, Kazushi Sakuraba, Dan Severn and Joe Riggs, among others.

Ritch’s last pro MMA appearance came in January 2020, when he suffered a 26-second submission loss to Glenn Sparv at a Rebel FC event in Moscow.