PORT HURON, MI – The Michigan Department of Attorney General has completed its review of the Feb. 12 fatal shooting of Mark Ryan, 52, by a Michigan State Police trooper in Port Huron and will not issue criminal charges, citing self-defense.
According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office, MSP troopers and St. Clair County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call reporting that Ryan was intoxicated, intended to take his own life, and wanted someone to shoot him. Upon arrival, officers heard shouting inside the home and were informed that Ryan was armed with a BB pistol. Two residents were escorted out for their safety.
Ryan exited the home with a pistol in his right hand. Officers could not determine whether the weapon was a BB gun or a real firearm, as it was visually indistinguishable and lacked an orange barrel tip. Ryan did not respond to commands to drop the weapon, re-entered the home, and emerged multiple times, continuing to ignore commands.
According to the department’s findings, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and told Ryan they did not want to shoot him. Ryan reportedly responded, “how about I want you too?” He then descended the porch steps and walked toward officers, ignoring at least eight orders to stop. He verbally threatened to shoot the officers and advanced toward one trooper with the pistol in hand and arms raised to shoulder height. The trooper retreated and issued another warning before firing three shots, killing Ryan.
Under MSP policy, officer-involved shootings are investigated by a different district than where the incident took place. The 2nd District of MSP conducted the investigation and referred the case to the Attorney General.
The review included trooper statements, patrol and body-worn camera footage, 911 audio, a medical examiner’s autopsy, a scale diagram of the scene, cellphone video from witnesses, and other materials.
The Attorney General’s office stated: “Law enforcement officers have the same privilege of self-defense as anyone else. Shooting a gun in self-defense requires an honest and reasonable belief that an officer is in danger of being killed or seriously injured. If that person’s belief was honest and reasonable, they can act immediately to defend themselves.”
The office concluded that based on the facts and circumstances, the trooper acted in self-defense and there was no basis for criminal charges.
The full report from the Department of Attorney General is available online as a PDF.
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