An 18-year-old car wash employee in Florida used his mixed martial arts (MMA) training to subdue an axe-wielding man who threatened him and his younger brother on the evening of 8/3. Video released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office shows Bryce Thayer, 36, approaching Leodan Pino, 18, and his 16-year-old brother as they were closing their shop.

“I was locking the doors when I heard screaming; it was clear he was not sober,” Pino recounted. When Pino asked him to leave, Thayer angrily advanced towards the brothers, pulled out an axe, and brandished it threateningly.

The video shows Pino quickly seizing the opportunity, lunging at Thayer, securing the axe handle, and simultaneously sweeping his legs, causing him to fall to the ground. Pino then pinned Thayer to restrain him. Pino's younger brother also rushed over to wrench the axe from Thayer’s hand.

Pino, who is trained in mixed martial arts and recently enlisted in the military, stated: “When I realized he wouldn’t give up, I threw a few elbow strikes until he lost the ability to resist... I took him to the ground, secured him in a rear triangle choke, and waited for the police to arrive.”

Thayer’s mugshot showed numerous bruises on his face, believed to be sustained during the struggle.

Pino said Thayer “got what he deserved” and expressed “happiness that I was able to protect my younger brother” in that situation.

Bryce Thayer with bruises and scratches on his face after the incident. Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office

According to police, a search during Thayer’s arrest revealed a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thayer is currently being held on an 11,000 USD bond.

Thayer has been arrested four times by the Marion County Sheriff's Office since 5/2024, with charges including: possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a controlled substance in a detention facility, property damage, petty theft, trespassing, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tue Anh (according to Fox News)