Officer's Death: Murder Charges Reinstated Against 2 Brothers

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LANDOVER, MD — Second-degree murder charges against two brothers accused of doing nothing to stop a third brother from starting a gunfight that led to a police officer’s death can be reinstated, a Prince George’s County judge ruled Wednesday.

Michael DeAndre Ford, 22, of Landover is accused of shooting at police in a "suicide by cop attempt" last month, sparking a gunfight in which a Prince George’s County Police Officer Jacai Colson died 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.

The judge’s ruling ruling reinstates the original charges against Malik and Elijah Ford.

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 Colson, 28, a four-year veteran of the department.

Authorities originally charged all three Ford brothers 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.

A Prince George's County District Court Commissioner on March 15 found no probable cause for second-degree murder and some of the handgun charges against Malik and Elijah Ford, reports WTOP. The state’s attorney says that with that ruling overturned, she will take the case to a grand jury and seek indictment on all charges against all three suspects.

Michael Ford wanted notoriety, State’s Attorney Sharon Alsobrooks said in court Wednesday.

Ford wanted the smartphone video his brothers took of the shooting sent to the WorldStar Hip Hop entertainment website, a detective testified in court.

Also in court testimony, police for the first time publicly identified the fellow officer who fired the shot that killed Colson. Officer Taylor Krauss fired the rifle shot that killed Colson, who pulled up to the police station in an unmarked car and wearing civilian clothes. Krauss mistook Colson as a threat during the gun battle, WTOP reports.

SEE ALSO:

• UPDATE Maryland Police Officer Killed in Ambush; Two Brothers in Custody
• Governor Orders Flags Lowered, County Executive Notes 'Sad Loss'

Police Department’s Earlier Reaction

An emotional Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski last month denounced the younger Ford brothers 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 last month in the wake of Colson’s death.

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.

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 was treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Colson died 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.

»Police photo of suspects