UPDATE Maryland Police Officer Killed in Ambush; Two Brothers in Custody

By Greg Hambrick and Deb Belt

Updated at 11:25 a.m. Monday

LANDOVER, MD — A Prince George's County Police officer shot Sunday died in what is described by authorities as an ambush by two brothers, one of whom was wounded.

Officer Jacai Colson was fatally shot at the District III station in Landover, according to Prince George's County Police. He was a four-year member of the department and would have celebrated his 29th birthday this week.

Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said, "One of your defenders lost his life in defense of this community today. This was an unprovoked attack. Our officers were going about their business and were attacked."

Colson was assigned to the Narcotic Enforcement Division. Police said late Sunday night that he was fatally wounded after exchanging gunfire with a suspect outside the District III station, which is attached to police headquarters in Palmer Park.

Investigators say a suspect opened fire outside the front doors of the station around 4:30 p.m. and Colson returned fire. Colson was shot and died a short time later.

The two suspects in custody in the shooting are brothers, identified as Malik Ford and Michael Ford, both of Temple Hills, reports The Washington Post.

A woman who lives nearby says that when the gun battle began, she thought someone was lighting firecrackers. As nurse Lascelles Grant looked out her window to see what was going on, she saw a man dressed in black armed with a handgun.

Gunshots sounded and Grant ran to her bathroom with her baby for safety as police officers charged the shooter. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, look at all these police officers running out, putting their lives really in danger,’ ” she told the Post.

The suspect shot at the first officer he saw and kept shooting as police responded, the police chief said.

“Those officer did not shrink, they bravely advanced and engaged this individual,” Stawinski said.

One of the officers carried Colson to a patrol car and raced him to Prince George's Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The unidentified suspect was also wounded. He is expected to survive and remains under police custody at an area hospital. Charges are pending, police said.

A second suspect was taken in for questioning. Investigators are working to determine the motive in this case.

A press conference will be held Monday afternoon to give updates on the case.

John Teletchea, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said, "Jacai was a cops cop. He was a personal friend. I'm going to miss him."

“Jacai was important to his family, he was important to the entire community. We have another mother tonight who is without her son. And for that we are deeply sorry,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.

"I am shocked and saddened by the news this evening of the death of Prince George's County police officer Jacai Colson in the line of duty," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. "The First Lady and I send our sincere prayers to the family and loved ones of Officer Colson, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his fellow citizens and community."

The governor ordered flags across Maryland to fly at half-staff.

NBC Washington reports that the suspects were arrested at the Popeye's fast food restaurant at Dodge Park and Landover Road.

ABC7's Brad Bell reports that Colson was involved in a shootout and three others were shot. He said sources said the suspects were heavily armed and ambushed the police station; police tactical officers are sweeping through the police buildings to ensure there are no other suspects.

It was less than two weeks ago that officers across the region honored Ashley Guindon, a Prince William County (Va.) officer killed when she responded to a domestic dispute.

Route 202 is closed from the Beltway to Martin Luther King Jr. Highway. Barlowe Road is also closed, no traffic is able to enter Barlowe Road from side streets.

A shelter in place order for residents in the Palmer Park/Landover area was lifted by police about 7:30 p.m.

Following the shooting, police cars, including an armored police van were seen heading toward Interstate 495, according to FOX5DC reporter Van Applegate.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the PGPD officer shot and critically wounded this afternoon," according to a Prince George's County Sheriff's Office statement.

»Screenshot from NBC Washington of Popeye's restaurant; photo of Officer Jacai Colson, courtesy of Prince George's County Police