Man Behind Gun Battle That Killed PG Officer Convicted

LANDOVER, MD — A man who prosecutors say started the March 2016 gunfight that killed a Prince George's County cop outside of a police station has been convicted of second-degree murder. Michael DeAndre Ford, 24, of Landover was found guilty Friday of causing the gun battle that caused a police officer to mistakenly shoot and kill fellow officer Jacai Colson at the District 3 Police Station in Landover.

Ford's younger brothers — Elijah Ford, 18, and Malik Ford, 21 — pleaded guilty last year to separate charges for their involvement in the March 13, 2016, attack. They reportedly knew Michael's plan to ambush a police station and witnessed the fatal shooting, but did nothing to stop it. The two brothers allegedly sat in a car outside of the station and recorded the deadly assault on their cell phones. The men have not yet been sentenced.

Michael Ford was accused of shooting at police in a "suicide by cop attempt," sparking an exchange of gunfire in which Detective Colson, 28, a four-year veteran of the department, died from a bullet fired by a fellow law officer. Michael was indicted on 55 counts.

Four officers fired their duty weapons while trying to stop the shooter. Two additional officers responded, but did not fire their weapons, police said. The police officers didn't shoot randomly or panic, as they were aware of the residences behind their target and cars passing by as Michael fired at them, Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said. The officers involved were looking for the threat.

No witnesses were called on Ford's behalf; he testified Wednesday that he was trying to get himself killed when he attacked the police station and never intended to hurt anyone, NBC Washington reports. Ford said he never saw Colson, a plainclothes narcotics detective, but authorities say Ford and Colson shot at each other before Officer Taylor Krauss shot Colson.

Ford fired about two dozen shots, but didn't hit anybody during the videotaped ambush, testimony showed. "I shot low," he said. "I wasn't trying to shoot nobody."

SEE ALSO:

• 2 Brothers Pled Guilty For Shooting Spree That Killed Prince George's County Officer
• Officer's Death: Murder Charge Thrown Out Against 2 Brothers
• UPDATE Maryland Police Officer Killed in Ambush; Two Brothers in Custody
• Governor Orders Flags Lowered, County Executive Notes 'Sad Loss'

Stawinski said the officers who ran out of the District III station were being fired upon, while Colson was arriving in an unmarked vehicle in the middle of the gunfight. The fallen officer "heroically" stepped out of his car to draw gunfire, which let the other officers gain a better tactical advantage over the shooter and then render first aid.

Officer Krauss was identified as the officer who accidentally killed Colson during the shootout. Colson was dressed in civilian clothes and was not in body armor. "He is not prepared for a firefight," the chief said.

At a press conference after the attack, Stawinski denounced Ford's brothers for failing to warn passers-by or stop their brother at a press conference after the attack.

"They witnessed him shoot at cars, shoot at ambulance, shoot at Prince George's County police officers. They were engaged, they were concerned for their own safety, but not the safety of the officers and the public," Stawinski said.

While Michael reportedly had a history of mental health issues, Stawinski is more troubled by the fact that he shot at passing cars, and his brothers did nothing to stop him.

When asked why two brothers would want to record the death of their own brother, Stawinski replied, "It makes no sense. … I'm not certain at the end of this investigation that we'll be able to explain why."

The mother of the alleged gunman suffered a heart attack after learning of her son's alleged involvement, family Pastor Danny McCimmon told WUSA. McCimmon said Michael Ford was struggling, but he had no idea how bad.

Photos: Prince George's County Police Department