Former UFC fighter shoots man dead, claims self-defense
Gerald Strebendt was a professional MMA fighter for eight years, even making it to the UFC once, but it was his training as a Marine that may have saved his life.
Gerald Strebendt was a professional mixed martial arts fighter for eight years, even making it to the UFC once, but it was his training as a Marine that may have saved his life:
Officers responded to the location at 7:58 p.m. Wed, Jan. 29, and observed an accident had occurred between two vehicles. Officers also found the body of David Paul Crofut, 53, of Springfield in the roadway, along with the two involved vehicles.
Crofut was the victim of a gunshot wound, and officers recovered and seized a firearm at the scene.
Crofut was operating a 2013 blue Nissan Rogue, which was involved in the accident, and the other vehicle, a new, unlicensed black GMC Denali, was operated by Gerald Roy Strebendt, 34, of Springfield.
No arrests have been made as of Thursday morning. Police identified the case as a “death investigation.”
“It remains open and uncharged at this point because there’s been a claim of self-defense,” Sgt. David Lewis said.
