Undercover Md. officer viewed as threat, ‘deliberately’ shot

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A suburban Washington, D.C., police officer who died in an unprovoked shootout Sunday was deliberately shot by another officer who did not know him and perceived him to be a threat, police said Wednesday.

Prince George's County Police Officer Jacai Colson was in plain clothes during the shootout at the county police District III station in Landover, Md.

Police Chief Hank Stawinski was careful not to speculate about the state of mind of the unidentified officer who shot at Colson, but he said the officer feared for his life.

"I do not believe for a second that a police officer intentionally fired at another police officer," said Stawinski on Wednesday.

The shootout happened when Michael Ford, 22, randomly opened fire at police and passing cars outside Prince George's County police headquarters Sunday.

On Monday, Stawinski said Colson was killed by "friendly fire."

Ford, who was shot in the shootout and remains hospitalized, faces second-degree murder, six counts of attempted first-degree murder charges, nine counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a felony and other charges. Ford's brothers, Malik, 21, and Elijah, 18, filmed the shooting, police said.

The chief described the attack as a so-called suicide-by-cop, saying the three brothers "did not expect the shooter (Michael Ford) in this to survive."

According to police, Ford was driven to the police station by his two younger brothers and began firing at the building at passing vehicles, resulting in officers returning fire. In court Wednesday, prosecutors said Ford fired more than 20 shots.

Ford's brothers were denied bail Wednesday as family members made emotional pleas on their behalf. An aunt, referring to Malik Ford, said "He never shot anyone," while their father said, "He didn't have no gun in his hand."

While listening to relatives, Malik Ford, who appeared in court via closed-circuit television, collapsed and fell to the floor. As he was treated by medical personnel, some family members wept. The hearing resumed a few minutes later with him seated in a chair.

The relatives tried to distance Malik and Elijah from Michael's actions, saying they were not armed and their involvement was minimal.

Their father, Michael Thomas, said his sons had strong character and mostly stayed out of trouble. Elijah, a high school senior, has no criminal history, while Malik has been charged twice with petty theft. The charges were dropped in both cases, court records show.

"I've lost three kids in one shot," Thomas said.

Malik and Elijah face charges including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Colson, 28, was a narcotics detective and was in street clothes when he arrived at the police station in an unmarked vehicle "and found himself in the middle of a gunfight," Stawinski said.

"The family of Jacai Colson has been a paragon of strength," Stawinski said. "The mother and father standing with us during the press conference where we had to reveal this was likely a friendly fire incident, and even today as we talked to them as this unfolded, their support of this police department has been stunning."