MMA fighter describes how he took down a gunman at Houston sushi restaurant

HOUSTON — MMA fighter Kevin Holland has been working towards martial arts since he was an adolescent, and on Monday evening these abilities had been put to the check to forestall a horrible tragedy at a Houston sushi restaurant.

Holland, who was visiting from Fort Price, mentioned Samaritan had initially encountered the gunman and was fighting him to get his gun. Holland mentioned that is when he jumped into motion to seize the suspect and choke him out till he was unconscious.

“Combat or flight you realize. I’m a fighter so I like to consider combating as a substitute of flying,” mentioned Holland.

The 29-year-old mentioned he first heard a loud bang contained in the RA Sushi in Highland Village. 

“I used to be considering, ‘Oh you realize they’re partying behind us.’ The champagne bottle popping,” Holland mentioned. 

However Holland mentioned when he rotated he noticed folks working away in worry. 

“I grabbed my uncle, pulled him down with me look to the facet of the bar and the man had already grabbed the shooter. And so they had been wrestling for the gun. The gun was going through our course,” mentioned Holland. 

That’s when he knew he needed to leap into motion. 

Gunman taken down by 2 MMA fighters inside Houston sushi restaurant, HPD says

Holland mentioned he ran in the direction of the shooter together with his uncle and coaching accomplice Patrick Robinson.

“I pulled him again into the lap and throw a rear-naked choke choking the man, my uncle is taking note of let me know when the man is asleep,” mentioned Holland.

Holland mentioned as soon as the shooter was out, he jumped on prime of him.

“I had a handful of hair and I used to be holding a fist up and I let him know hey you progress proper now my boy and I’m going to harm you actually, actually dangerous,” mentioned Holland. 

Police arrived they usually had been capable of arrest 34-year-old Jesus Samaniego.

Many are calling Holland and his uncle heroes, however Holland mentioned he’s simply pleased he was on the proper place on the proper time. 

“We’re grateful we each had been there to ensure no one acquired harm,” mentioned Holland. “I don’t know if I’m going to be getting sushi anymore after I go to Houston. I would stick to a different meal.”

Holland mentioned this is not the primary time he used his abilities. He mentioned not too way back he was capable of cease a carjacking thief. 

Samaniego was anticipated to look in felony court docket on Thursday. He was charged with lethal conduct and likewise a misdemeanor of illegal carry of a weapon. 

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