Police say Robert MacMeekin was shot at his Phoenix home after a protective order dispute involving his daughter and grandchildren.
PHOENIX, MD — A Baltimore County lawyer was fatally shot May 2 at his Phoenix home while trying to protect his grandchildren during a family dispute, and his son-in-law has been charged with first-degree murder, police and court records show.
Robert MacMeekin, 74, a longtime personal injury attorney, was found on the back patio of his home in the 14000 block of Sawmill Court after officers were called for a shooting shortly before 2:30 p.m. Mark Ryan, 41, of Bel Air, was arrested at the scene and later ordered held without bond. Prosecutors said the shooting followed a dispute over a temporary protective order and the couple’s two young children, who had been staying with their grandparents.
Baltimore County police said officers arrived at the home and found MacMeekin suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators described the case as domestic-related and said there was no continuing threat to the community. Det. Trae Corbin of the Baltimore County Police Department said officers found the victim with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound and that the suspect was still at the scene when police arrived. Ryan was taken into custody without incident.
Charging documents and statements in court describe a dispute that began the day before the shooting at the Bel Air home Ryan shared with his wife, who is MacMeekin’s daughter. Authorities said Ryan’s wife told investigators that Ryan struck her during an argument and suggested he would get a firearm from a gun safe. She left the home and went to her parents’ house in Phoenix, where the couple’s children, ages 2 and 6, were staying. She later obtained a temporary protective order against Ryan. Police said MacMeekin told Ryan by phone that the children would remain with him for the weekend and that Ryan would have to appear in court for a protective order hearing.
Investigators said Ryan then went to MacMeekin’s home and confronted him on the back patio. Police said Ryan pulled out a handgun, a struggle followed and Ryan fired several rounds. Prosecutors said MacMeekin was struck in the neck and throat area. Ryan’s wife and mother-in-law were listed as witnesses in court records. They told police Ryan dropped the gun after the shooting and sat in a chair until officers arrived. Authorities said Ryan later spoke with investigators and admitted shooting MacMeekin, saying he was angry that MacMeekin was keeping the children from him.
Ryan’s defense attorney, Richard Karceski, has disputed the prosecution’s account of intent. Karceski said Ryan had no prior record and did not go to the home planning to kill anyone. He said the gun fired during a struggle and argued that MacMeekin reached for the weapon first. “Nothing was intentional here on the part of Mr. Ryan,” Karceski said after a court hearing. Prosecutors argued the shooting was not accidental and told the court that MacMeekin’s life was taken from his family for no reason.
A Baltimore County judge denied Ryan bond May 4, citing concerns about the safety of the victim’s family and the public, along with possible flight risk. Ryan faces a first-degree murder charge and a firearm offense. The protective order hearing that had been expected that Monday did not move forward in the same way after MacMeekin’s death. Court proceedings in the criminal case are now expected to focus on the shooting, the protective order timeline, witness statements and the handgun recovered at the scene.
MacMeekin was a partner at Fine, Kelly & MacMeekin P.A., a Timonium personal injury law firm. The firm said it was devastated by his death and called him an important part of the firm and Maryland’s legal community. MacMeekin earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1973 and a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1975. He was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1976. The firm said he worked hard for clients and was protective of his family.
The shooting shook neighbors in the Mill Gate area off Sweet Air Road, where residents described the afternoon as unusual for a normally quiet community. Neighbor Tony Alcala said his son first heard what sounded like gunshots and did not think much of it because hunting can sometimes be heard in the area. He said the sound of more shots and screaming changed that. “Once we found out what happened in the neighborhood, we kind of pieced it together,” Alcala said. He called the violence surprising and said the area had already been dealing with another deadly incident nearby that weekend.
Ryan remains held without bond as the homicide case continues in Baltimore County. Police have said the investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors are expected to rely on charging documents, witness accounts and statements made after the shooting as the case moves through court.
Author note: Last updated May 11, 2026.