MMA fighter is arrested after punching Air Force soldier during Florida bar brawl, leaving him for dead with ‘softball’ size bruise behind his ear
- Ross Johnson, 23, allegedly killed an Air Force soldier in a Florida fight
- Johnson, who has three years of ‘advanced fighter training,’ rushed to help his friend in the fight when he supposedly struck Dayvon Larry, 31
- Larry collapsed and remained unconscious until he was pronounced dead at a local hospital with a bruise the size of a softball behind his ear
An amateur MMA fighter was arrested after he allegedly punched an Air Force soldier behind the ear in a Florida bar brawl and left him for dead.
Ross Johnson, 23, was running to help his friend in a fight outside of the Coyote Ugly Saloon in Panama City Beach on Sunday when he punched 31-year-old Dayvon Larry – causing him to collapse, police said.
Johnson, who has three years of ‘advanced fighter training’, didn’t attempt to get help for Larry and instead supposedly told a witness, ‘I think I killed him.’
The MMA fighter of Cartersville, Illinois, engaged in another fight after knocking Larry out and ran to hide away from police in his hotel room.
It’s unclear if Larry was a part of the fight or in Johnson’s way as the MMA fighter stormed toward the brawl.
Amateur MMA fighter Ross Johnson, 23, allegedly killed an Air Force serviceman in a Florida fight on Sunday
Johnson, who has three years of ‘advanced fighter training,’ rushed to help his friend in the fight when he supposedly struck Dayvon Larry, 31
Johnson has three wins and two losses on his MMA record. The victim’s autopsy showed he had a skull fracture and a bruise the size of a ‘softball’ behind his ear.
Police allege Johnson only hit Larry once before fleeing the scene by using a ride share service. Larry was discovered by a security officer after he broke up the fight.
The solider was pronounced dead at a local hospital after paramedics failed to revive him through life-saving measures outside of the bar.
Police announced on Tuesday that Johnson had been taken into custody and had given multiple unaligned stories of what happened during the bar fight.
The MMA fighter was arrested with the help of surveillance footage from the bar that allegedly showed Johnson punching the soldier.
He initially said he only pushed Larry but investigators said he allegedly told a witness, ‘Man I hit that guy, I laid him out, and I think I killed him.’
A woman Johnson messaged on Snapchat also came forward and revealed he messaged her about the incident and how Larry, ‘wasn’t moving.’
Johnson has three wins and two losses on his MMA record. He is pictured above at a match
Johnson (right) is seen above at the MMAX Championships wearing black trunks
Larry collapsed outside of the Coyote Ugly Saloon (above) and remained unconscious until he was pronounced dead at a local hospital with a bruise the size of a softball behind his ear
Police said on Tuesday that Johnson didn’t get any help for Larry, who was collapsed on the floor
Several people mourned the loss of Larry, who was a part of the Tyndall Air Force Base.
‘How could something like this happen to a person like you,’ his cousin, David Beckwith wrote on Facebook.
‘One of the most genuine and respectful souls I ever got the pleasure of meeting,’ Savannah Bryson added. ‘We’ll be praying for both justice to be done for the ones that took his life – it’s such a tragedy.’
‘Dayvon Larry was definitely one of the good guys,’ Shayla Johnson said.
The Tyndall Air Force Base confirmed one of their members died on Sunday but didn’t give their name.
‘This is a devastating loss for team Tyndall our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow airman during this tough time,’ officials wrote.
Several people mourned the loss of Larry, who was a part of the Tyndall Air Force Base
