MMA fighter Joe Torrez fights off 4 home invaders, kills 1

SINGAPORE – The most basic principle of martial arts – one that lies at its very core – is self-defense. One mixed martial artist may find himself in hot water for using his skills outside of the cage.

A 27-year-old mixed martial artist named Joe Torrez could possibly face criminal charges after fending off four men who attempted to break into his Las Cruces, N.M. home at 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day according to a report by Dailymail.co.uk. According to authorities in Dora Ana County, Torrez reportedly killed one of the intruders and severely injured another.

The body of 25-year-old Sal Garces, a known gang member and long-time criminal, was found near Torrez’s trailer with multiple fatal stab wounds to the torso and blunt force trauma to the head. Twenty-year-old Nathan Avalos, also one of the four intruders, suffered severe injuries to the face and was admitted to a nearby hospital. The other two fled the scene after Torrez convinced them to retreat.

The other two home intruders, Leonard Calvillo, 22, and Raymond Garces, 19, attempted to flee but were arrested shortly after the incident with the help of local authorities. All four men are known gang members according to police.

At the time of the invasion, Torrez was inside his home with his fiancé and his son along with his fiance’s sister and some friends. Before the incident, Torrez received a threatening phone call from Calvillo.

Shortly after the phone call, the four intruders broke into Torrez’s home. Torrez’s fiancé attempted to use her body against the front door to prevent the men from breaking in. After successfully forcing their way in however, one of the men was armed with a ‘crude shank’ while another picked up a knife inside of Torrez’s trailer according to a witness.

According to police, the four men went after Torrez after an altercation which took place on New Year’s Eve in a different location.

An attorney for Torrez claims his client was defending himself and his family from a pre-meditated attack. However, officials have yet to rule out charging Torrez with any crimes pertaining to the death of Sal Garces.

Leonard Calvillo, Raymond Garces and Nathan Avalos were all charged with criminal offenses.

Joe Torrez is an American Lightweight MMA fighter with a record of 1 win (by submission) and 5 losses (3 by KO and 2 by submission). Torrez lost to Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier in his MMA debut via TKO in the first round. -Rappler.com