Ross Johnson: MMA fighter arrested for killing Air Force soldier Dayvon Larry during bar fight
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA: An amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Ross Johnson, 23, has been arrested for allegedly punching an Air Force soldier, Dayvon Larry, 31 behind the ear during a bar brawl in Panama City Beach, Florida. The shocking incident resulted in Larry's death.
Johnson, who has three years of advanced fighter training, ran to help his friend in the fight when he punched Larry, causing him to collapse. According to police, Johnson did not attempt to get help for Larry and instead supposedly told a witness, "I think I killed him." a report said. The incident happened Sunday night in the parking lot of a bar in the 10500 block of Front Beach Road.
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The autopsy revealed skull fracture
The MMA fighter engaged in another fight after knocking Larry out and ran to hide away from police in his hotel room, the outlet cited police as saying. The report said it is unclear whether Larry was a part of the fight or in Johnson's way as he stormed toward the brawl. Johnson has three wins and two losses on his MMA record.
The victim's autopsy revealed that he had a skull fracture and a bruise the size of a softball behind his ear. Police allege that Johnson only hit Larry once before fleeing the scene using a ride-sharing service. Larry was discovered by a security officer after he broke up the fight. Larry was pronounced dead at a local hospital after paramedics failed to revive him through life-saving measures outside of the bar.
On Tuesday, police announced that Johnson had been taken into custody and had given multiple 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. Johnson initially claimed that 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."
'He was a charging force in people’s lives'
"It’s hard for me to write this. I’m at a loss for words but we lost one of our very own, Airmen First Class Dayvon Larry 3 days ago," SSgt Rosemarie McGill wrote on Facebook while paying tributes. She added, "5 hours ago He came into my office a little more than a year ago to join the Air Force and I got to see his progress from day one. He always went above and beyond for me, his family, friends, wingman, and his community." McGill further detailed," He was always stopping by the office to see how he could help. He was a charging force in people’s lives by uplifting them and motivating them to always do their best. Last thing he sent me were all his accomplishments that were 4-5 pages long of helping his community and Tyndall AFB. That’s just who he was, giving. We will all miss him. Sending all the prayers, love and support to his family during this time. RIP Larry."
'This is a devastating loss'
Four others were charged in connection to the fight on Wednesday as per WMBB. Timothy Lynn Helton, 32, of Salesville, Ark, was charged with simple battery. Toby LeShane Wallace, 30, of Carterville, Ill, was charged with simple battery. John Dero Chester II, 23, of Carterville, Ill, was charged with disorderly conduct on the premises of an establishment. Malcolm David Santiago-Ramos, 26, of Panama City, Fla, was charged with inciting a riot. The arrest affidavits as per the outlet state that Helton, Wallace, and Chester were participants in the fight either inside or outside the bar. The affidavit on Santiago-Ramos states that he exited the bar while, “aggressively attempting to instigate a fight, thereby exciting the violence that ultimately led to the death of the victim.”
A woman Johnson messaged on Snapchat also came forward and revealed that he messaged her about the incident and how Larry "wasn't moving." Several people mourned the loss of Larry, who was a part of the Tyndall Air Force Base. “Tyndall officials can confirm that there was an airman death that occurred in PCB on April 10th, 2023,” Tyndall Public Affairs officials said Tuesday as per a report. “This is a devastating loss for team Tyndall our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and fellow airman during this tough time."