Police Bullet Likely Killed Officer During Gunfight; Three Brothers Charged

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Updated at 6:10 p.m.

LANDOVER, MD — Authorities denounced two brothers who stood by while their sibling fired on police in a "suicide by cop attempt," sparking a gunfight in which a police officer died, likely from a bullet fired by a fellow law officer.

Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said Monday evening it is possible the fatal bullet that ended the promising life of Officer Jacai Colson came from another police officer during the exchange of gunfire.

An emotional Stawinski denounced the brothers of the suspect for allegedly recording the gun battle rather than trying to warn passers-by or stop their brother, who intended to die in the shootout.

“This was callously recorded and could have been prevented,” Stawinski said.

“It makes no sense. … I’m not certain at the end of this investigation that we’ll be able to explain why.” — Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski

Two brothers of suspect Michael Ford of Landover knew in advance what his plan was, authorities said. “They witnessed him shoot at cars, shoot at ambulance, shoot at Prince George's County police officers. They were engagaed, they were concerned for their own safety but not the safety of the officers and the public,” Stawinski said.

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.

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

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.

Details About Gun Battle

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.

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.

The brothers who reportedly recorded the attack are Malik Ford, 21, of the 9200 block of Allentown Road in Fort Washington and Elijah Ford, 18, of the 1800 block of Ryderwood Court in Landover. The third brother, the accused shooter, is Michael DeAndre Ford, 22, also of the same address on Ryderwood Court.

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

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.

“This is about nothing, it’s unprovoked,” 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.”

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.

Gunman Intended to Die: Police

The evidence shows the unidentified gunman intended to die during a gun battle with police, the department said via Twitter Monday.

According to WJLA's Brad Bell, the alleged shooter, Michael Ford, was wanted for assaulting his wife in South Carolina. Investigators believe he was attempting a "suicide by cop" when he fired repeatedly at the Landover center.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch on Monday called the shooting a heinous act of violence and a cowardly crime

"The Department of Justice stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in law enforcement around the country to condemn this horrific attack, to support the Prince George’s County community, and to grieve the loss of Officer Jacai Colson," Lynch said in a statement. “Officer Colson was a consummate public servant and a proud defender of the law – a young guardian raised in the tradition of service to his community.”

The slain officer was a four-year member of the department who would have celebrated his 29th birthday this week.

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.

SEE ALSO: Governor Orders Flags Lowered, County Executive Notes 'Sad Loss'

Chief Stawinski said Sunday, "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 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 about 4:30 p.m. Sunday outside the front doors of the station which is attached to police headquarters in Palmer Park.

One of the officers carried Colson to a patrol car and raced him to Prince George's Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead. Mourners have begun to put flowers at the scene.

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.

A total of four officers discharged their duty weapons while trying to stop the shooter. Two additional officers also responded, but did not fire their weapons. 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

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

Following the ambush, Malik and Elijah Ford fled the scene. The driver, Malik, turned himself in to police at a nearby at the Popeye's fast food restaurant at Dodge Park and Landover Road shortly after the shooting spree. Elijah was taken into custody at his home in Landover shortly after his brother, according to police.

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.

And one month ago two Harford County deputies were killed in the line of duty while responding to a call about a man with warrants out for his arrest.

Barlowe Road remained closed Monday as the investigation continues at the shooting scene.

"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.

»Photos of murder suspects and Officer Jacai Colson, courtesy of Prince George's County Police; screenshot from police press conference of officer's parents, James and Sheila Colson, carried by Washington Post on YouTube