Share This Article:

A man who fatally shot an intruder aboard a yacht at a South Bay marina last week is not expected to face prosecution in the case, a National City Police official said Thursday.

Support Times of San Diego's growth

with a small monthly contribution Become a supporter

Investigators have found “no indication of any criminal wrongdoing” on the part of the 63-year-old man who opened fire on suspected burglar Casey M. Ryan, 40, early in the morning of Sept. 4 at Pier 32 Marina in National City, Lt. Greg Seward said.

The victim, who was staying on the 70-foot yacht with his 61-year-old wife, was watching television in its living quarters when Ryan boarded shortly before 4 a.m. and released the vessel’s mooring lines, setting it adrift, according to police.

The intruder proceeded to start the engines of the yacht several times from its upper control area while the husband shut them off each time from inside, Seward said.

Ryan then allegedly tried in vain to break into the interior of the boat through a set of sliding-glass doors before making entry via an escape hatch and attacking the man, who by then had armed himself with a pistol.

During an ensuing struggle over control of the gun, the victim shot Ryan, who died at the scene.

The victim was treated at a hospital for strains, bruises and other apparently minor injuries. His wife was unharmed.

The investigation turned up no known prior contacts or relationship between the victims and Ryan, who “had a history of drug abuse, mental-health issues and assaultive behavior in the days leading up to this incident,” Seward said.

Based on the known facts surrounding the shooting, police do not intend to seek criminal charges in the case, the lieutenant said.

— City News Service

Man Who Shot, Killed Yacht Burglar Won’t Face Prosecution was last modified: by

>> Subscribe to Times of San Diego’s free daily email newsletter! Click here

Follow Us: