Officer's Death: Murder Charge Thrown Out Against 2 Brothers

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LANDOVER, MD — The most serious charge of second-degree murder against two brothers accused of doing nothing to stop a third brother from starting a gunfight that led to a police officer’s death has been thrown out of court.

Michael DeAndre Ford, 22, of Landover is accused of shooting at police in a "suicide by cop attempt" Sunday, sparking a gunfight in which a Prince George’s County Police officer died, likely from a bullet fired by a fellow law officer. His brothers -- Malik Ford, 21, of Fort Washington and Elijah Ford, 18, of Landover – reportedly knew Michael’s plan to ambush a police station.

Authorities say the younger brothers didn’t alert anyone to the coming onslaught, and instead recorded the gun battle that ended the promising life of Officer Jacai Colson, 28, a four-year veteran of the department.

On Monday, authorities said all three suspects will be charged with second-degree murder, six counts of attempted first-degree murder, nine counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a felony and additional charges.

But a Prince George's County District Court Commissioner has found no probable cause for second-degree murder and some of the handgun charges against Malik and Elijah Ford, reports WJLA. The state’s attorney may take the case to a grand jury and seek indictment on all charges.

The duo were ordered held without bond pending a bond review hearing on Wednesday.

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An emotional Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski denounced the brothers of the suspect for failing to warn passers-by or stop their brother.

“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 Monday.

When asked if Colson was he mistaken for the shooting suspect, Stawinski said he doesn’t know yet. Investigators are still interviewing the officers who were involved in the gunfight.

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 involved officers are: PO Bryan Melius, Regional Investigation Division Cpl Jason Wells, Bureau of Patrol, District III POFC Taylor Krauss, Bureau of Patrol, District III Cpl John Wynkoop, Bureau of Patrol, District III PO Matthew Scott, Bureau of Patrol, District III POFC Jacai Colson, Narcotic Enforcement Division.

The police officers didn’t shoot randomly or panic, they were aware of the residences behind their target and cars passing by as suspect Michael Ford of Landover fired at them, the police chief said. The officers involved were looking for the threat.

Michael Ford remains hospitalized with what are considered non-life threatening injuries.

Colson died Sunday in what is described by authorities as an ambush by Ford, who was then shot by police officers as they charged out of the District III police station in Landover to subdue the gunman.

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.

Colson was dressed in civilian clothes and was not in body armor. “He is not prepared for a firefight,” the chief 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.”

Anyone who saw the shooting is asked to call police at 866-411-TIPS.

Funeral arrangements for Colson will be made public when they are finalized. He is survived by his parents, James and Sheila Colson, and a younger brother, Jurea. He grew up in Boothwyn, PA.

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.