Ex-MMA Fighter Found Not Guilty in Airman’s Fatal Bar Fight

A former amateur MMA fighter charged in the 2023 death of a Tyndall Air Force Base airman was found not guilty this week, ending a case that stemmed from a fatal fight outside a Panama City, Fla., beach bar.

Ross Allen Johnson, 26, was acquitted Wednesday of manslaughter and aggravated battery charges connected to the death of Airman 1st Class Dayvon Larry, 31, who was assigned to the 325th Security Forces Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City.

The jury deliberated for just over an hour before returning its verdict, according to local court coverage from WJHG and WMBB.

Johnson’s attorney, David Wheeler, said in a statement to Military.com that Larry’s death was “a tragic accident,” adding that Johnson’s grief after learning that Larry had died “was genuine.”

The defense is relieved that the jury, which included two service members, one of whom serves in the same USAF security forces as the deceased, agreed that the state failed to prove Mr. Johnson was not entitled to defend his friend.

Military.com reached out for comment to Tyndall Air Force Base and additional service details about Larry, as well as the Bay County State Attorney’s Office for comment on the verdict and whether any additional proceedings remain.

Johnson Was Protecting a Friend: Defense

The case stemmed from an April 2023 altercation at Coyote Ugly Saloon in Panama City Beach that spilled into the parking lot.

Prosecutors argued during the trial that Johnson struck Larry behind the ear as Larry ran across the parking lot toward the fight. The medical examiner testified that Larry died from blunt force trauma to the head and classified the manner of death as homicide, according to WMBB.

Johnson testified in his own defense, saying he believed he was protecting a friend during the fight. He denied knowingly punching Larry in the back of the head and said he only pushed him.

Court TV footage of Johnson’s testimony showed prosecutors pressing him on his MMA background and the moments before he encountered Larry outside the bar. Johnson said he ran toward the fight because he believed Chester was defenseless on the ground and needed help. He testified that his “main focus” was Chester.

On cross-examination, Johnson acknowledged that he did not see Larry strike Chester, hit anyone with a bottle, or hit anyone during the first scuffle inside the bar. But Johnson said he still believed Larry was a threat, citing Larry’s connection to the group involved in the altercation, his earlier contact with Chester, and his movement toward the parking lot fight.

Prosecutors also questioned Johnson about MMA rules prohibiting strikes to the back of the head. Johnson acknowledged that such strikes are banned for safety reasons, and that hitting someone in the back of the head is wrong in a fight. But he denied hitting Larry there.

On the redirect, Wheeler asked Johnson whether he used specialized MMA techniques during the fight. Johnson said he did not, agreeing with Wheeler’s description of the altercation as “a brawl.” He also denied intending to cause great bodily harm to Larry.

Wheeler also argued, as part of his statement to Military.com, that another airman, Malcolm Santiago Ramos, initiated the altercation that drew both Larry and Johnson into the fight. He said the defense believed security at Coyote Ugly also contributed to the tragedy by allowing those involved in the fight to leave the venue at the same time.

Wheeler said Larry had armed himself with an empty beer bottle before later discarding it, and that Johnson could not see him disarm from where he stood.

“It is evident that both Dayvon Larry and Ross Johnson were acting to protect their friends,” Wheeler said.

Larry’s Family Said Justice Was Not Served

After the verdict was read, Johnson hugged his attorney and family members while members of Larry’s family reacted emotionally in the courtroom, according to WMBB.

Larry’s sister, Tameka Williams, told WMBB that the verdict left the family without the justice they had waited three years to see.

“To wait for three years and still not have justice for my brother,” Williams told the outlet. “It’s ripping my heart out. Justice was not served today.”

WJHG also reported that Larry’s family members spoke about his legacy after the verdict. His older sister, Shanna Larry, said the family still misses and loves him, while his nephew, Joshua Hemphill, described Larry as someone who inspired him and said he had earned a degree, became a pharmacist and later joined the Air Force because he wanted to help others.

Tyndall Airman Honored After His Death

Tyndall Air Force Base identified Larry after his death as a member of the 325th Security Forces Squadron. In a public post at the time, the base said “Team Tyndall” was mourning the loss of Airman 1st Class Dayvon Larry.

Larry’s memory later became part of a unit-level initiative at Tyndall. The Air Force Security Forces Center published a photo in 2024 noting that the “Delta Lima” initiative was created to honor Larry, who died in an off-duty incident in April 2023, and to foster pride in security forces duties.

Stars & Stripes reported in 2024 that the program was created by Larry’s unit to promote professionalism and pride among security forces airmen.

Wheeler said Johnson and the defense recognized the pain Larry’s family continues to carry after the verdict.

“While we are overjoyed that Ross has been reunited with his family, we recognize the profound heartbreak Dayvon’s family is experiencing,” Wheeler said. “We will pray for them and honor his memory this Memorial Day. He died a brother’s keeper.”