Mark Ryan, 41, faces murder charges after allegedly shooting his 74-year-old father-in-law Robert MacMeekin in front of his young children in Phoenix, Maryland. The incident followed Ryan's wife obtaining a temporary protective order against him for alleged domestic abuse. Authorities describe the killing as domestic-related.
On Saturday at around 2:25 p.m., Ryan arrived at MacMeekin's home on the 14000 block of Sawmill Court in Phoenix, Maryland, carrying a loaded handgun, according to prosecutors. Earlier that morning, Ryan's wife had secured a temporary protective order against him after claims of domestic abuse, including an incident where he allegedly hit her and threatened to grab a gun. MacMeekin had helped relocate their sons, aged 2 and 6, to his home for the weekend, prompting Ryan's confrontation over access to the children. Ryan allegedly accused MacMeekin of keeping him from seeing the boys before firing three shots, one striking MacMeekin in the neck. MacMeekin was pronounced dead at the scene, with Ryan's wife and her mother also present. Witnesses said Ryan dropped the gun and sat in a chair until police arrived. Baltimore County authorities arrested Ryan and charged him with first-degree murder. He was held without bond in the Baltimore County detention center following a Monday court hearing. Prosecutors argued the death was 'absolutely needless,' caused by Ryan's anger, and claimed he admitted to everything. The defense countered that Ryan's wife was cheating, MacMeekin initiated a struggle over the gun, and Ryan only brought it for protection. They also asserted the children did not witness the violence. The protective order was dismissed on Monday, but the judge denied bail.