An amateur mixed martial arts fighter is charged in the death of an American airman who was fatally struck outside a Florida bar.
Ross Johnson, 23, of Carterville, Illinois, has been charged with manslaughter in the death of Air Force Airman 1st Class Dayvon Larry, 31, of Malone, Florida, authorities said Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear if Johnson had legal representation, and the area’s public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fights broke out Sunday both outside and inside the Coyote Ugly Saloon. Larry was not involved, but may have known someone involved in an argument that preceded the fights, according to a Panama City Beach Police Department incident report.
Larry was once punched in a parking lot near the bar, police said.
Security broke up the fight outside, found Larry and called first responders, who gave him CPR before taking him to a hospital, where he died, police said.
Johnson was identified as a suspect based on security video, police said. Investigators said he gave conflicting narratives about what led up to his altercation with Larry, but he eventually confessed, police said in a statement.
Coyote Ugly did not respond to a request for comment.
Larry was from Malone, a small town 70 miles north of Panama City Beach, police said.
A spokesman for Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, confirmed that an airman died Monday, but did not identify the person.
Police identified Johnson as an MMA fighter.
Tavleen Tarrant and emma li contributed.