Jonathan Mendelsohn
23-year-old Ross Johnson, an amateur MMA fighter, has been charged with manslaughter after a bar fight in Panama City, Florida. Johnson was arrested shortly after he punched 31-year-old US Air Force airman Dayvon Larry at the Coyote Ugly Saloon, leaving the man to die in the parking lot.
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Larry was left with a “3-inch skull fracture” and a “softball” sized bruise after the single punch. Police reported that Johnson spoke to a witness after the incident, saying, “Man, I hit that guy. I laid him out, and I think I killed him.”
US Airman Killed With Single Punch by MMA Fighter
Johnson, who is from Illinois but was vacationing in Florida at the time of the attack, is currently being held on a bond of $250,000. The deadly fight reportedly began when Johnson and his friends got into an argument with another group at the bar. While his friend was engaging in a fight with the group, Johnson ran up and sucker-punched Larry behind his left ear. It was reported that Larry was not actually a part of the fight between the two groups. Right after the fatal knockout, Johnson fled the scene by jumping into an Uber. Larry was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.
Johnson is a trained MMA fighter whose hands should be considered deadly weapons, and has gone through “three years of advanced fighting training.” Johnson, who has not participated in a professional fight since 2021, has five wins under his belt, as well as two losses. Johnson initially denied punching Larry, even though it was proven that he did.
Larry was stationed at Panama City’s Tyndall Air Force Base at the time of his death. Tyndall Air Force Base released a statement regarding Larry’s death, which partly reads, “During his time at Tyndall, A1C Larry made a lasting impact. He was truly an outstanding Airman. His passion for helping the local youth and his fellow Airmen will be sorely missed by all. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fellow Airmen.”
