Michael Ford allegedly had a death wish and a desire to kill police. Together with his two younger brothers, he coldly plotted a murderous ambush. And a key part of his plan was to have his brothers film the firefight and eventual suicide by cop outside a police station in suburban Maryland on their cellphones, according to authorities.
“We have individuals videotaping them as if it’s a game, as if it is something we’re going to put on YouTube and glorify,” John Teletchea of the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police said.
Teletchea was livid that the suspects would coldly watch and record what he said their own cellphone evidence shows was an unprovoked and premeditated attack.
An undercover narcotics officer was killed in Sunday’s gunfight outside the police station in Prince George’s County, wounded by a bullet fired by one of his colleagues.
At a news conference Monday evening, Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said he couldn’t explain the “frightening” actions of the shooter or his two brothers, who Stawinski said believed they would be filming their brother’s death.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Stawinski said.
The gunman, 22-year-old Michael Ford, dictated a “last will and testament” just minutes before his two brothers drove him to the station, where he began spraying bullets at passing cars and even an ambulance to draw officers outside, police said.
The undercover officer who died, Jacai Colson, arrived at the station after the shooting began. He was wearing civilian clothes without body armor and leapt out of an unmarked car to respond.
“Police officers run to disorder. They run to the sound of shots,” the chief said. “It’s my sad duty to have to share with you that, circumstantially, we believe the fired round that led to Detective Colson’s death was fired by one of his fellow Prince George’s County officers reacting to this.”
In the confusion, despite their restraint, one of the other officers’ bullets hit Colson, the chief said. Four other officers fired their weapons, and it is not yet known who fired the fatal bullet, said the chief, who praised their restraint as well as the “extreme heroism” of Colson, who “drew fire to himself and in doing so was mortally wounded.”
Colson was declared dead later in a hospital. Michael Ford was hospitalized but expected to survive. He was arrested along with his brothers Malik, 21, and Elijah, 18. They will face dozens of charges between them, the chief said.
The chief said there were no outstanding warrants against the gunman, but that information conflicts with a sheriff’s report from Greenville, South Carolina, which said Michael Ford was being sought for allegedly assaulting his wife there the day before.
Colson, who would have turned 29 this week, was a four-year department veteran who worked as an undercover narcotics officer. His football coach at Randolph-Macon College, where Colson played for one year, said he was “a great young man who was well liked and well respected.”
“He was just a great human being,” coach Pedro Arruza said. “He was a very positive, positive person and an upbeat guy, a good person to be around. He had a lot of friends on campus; everybody liked him. He was just a really high-character guy.”
Sheriff’s Deputy Dominick Chambers, a friend from the police academy, said they celebrated their four-year anniversary as officers March 12, the day before Colson was killed.
“He always wanted to be a police officer,” Chambers said. “Everyone is taking it real bad, real bad. I’m talking to my classmates, checking in on them. We’re not doing well.”
Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, former deputy chief at the Prince George’s County Police Department, said he understands people are searching for answers.
“I think while we’re trying to find a reason, and we’re always compelled to find a reason why something like this happens, you always think there must be a reason and we want to point to that reason because we want to fix it. We never want it to happen again. That’s human nature. To want to find a reason for the inexplicable,” he said.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags to half-mast to honor Colson’s sacrifice.
Flags flying at half-staff to honor @PGPDNews Ofc. Jacai Colson, who lost his life in the line of duty last night. pic.twitter.com/ZKVxqRZGDM
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) March 14, 2016
The Associated Press contributed to this article
Another BLM mentality type that had nothing to live for. Its so horrible and sad that another innocent police officer had to die because one man filled with hate had to act on his lack of heart, goodwill, intelligence and godless. I’m sure if he knew his daddy, he would be very proud of what his son became? Again, condolences to the family of the officer! Anyone want to way in on who started this hating on cops? “the Cambridge police acted stupidly”.
As far as I am concerned, all 3 of them are equally guilty, for having the thought, acting on and participating in the act. These people and their kind are bad, by nature, and have not learned how to be contributing members of society. they are just animals that want to destroy rather than build or participate.
Hang the idiots. I can not understand how stupid some people can be. It seems that a lot of people are not thankful of what they have or could have with some effort on their part.
I agree, that cop who shot the other officer should be hung, or at least locked up for Murder
So you don’t see anything wrong with cops shooting each other and then blaming someone else, who never actually did shoot anyone?
This young man would still be with us if it wasn’t for the ignorant three. Do you think the police running out firing guns were trying to direct traffic? Your not very smart, are you…
They quite simply are assholes and as far as I am concerned are all guilty. they all actively participated in this barbaric act that resulted in the death of an Officer that would have equally acted in their behalf, to protect them or save them but I am certain, they would not and could not understand that. Being a Cop is a very difficult job.
I agree with you and your comments are well spoken.
Yeah, shooting up your fellow cops and blaming everyone else must be especially trying.
One less socially, maladjusted individual for society and the law to deal with. One fact is sure, he will never cause trouble for anyone again. I would suppose that this is just natures way of cleansing the gene pool. Nature still has a long way to go before her job is done, if ever! My sincerest condolences to the slain officers family.
What makes you think the actual cop killer won’t shoot other policemen?
King fuzzy britches of course.Senseless is the only word that comes to mind.
I’d gladly stick the needle in this SOB’s arm…
It’s sad that the police officer was shot by “friendly” fire responding to an ambush that was intended to produce a suicide video. It’s likely the intent of the video was to create more strife in the black community from groups like Black Lives Matter. When the shooting ended a black police officer was dead thanks to this deranged man.
Mr. Ford and his brothers should face lengthy prison sentences for creating this deadly incident. It’s time for groups like Black Lives Matter to end the mob mentality that has come to define their movement. They have become part of the problem rather than being part of the solution. Thanks to the frenzy these black justice groups have worked up, a young black police officer is dead.
Agree with Justin… the only purpose would be to convince and incite more followers that ascribe to their brand of mob action to riot. They even tried to kill one of their own. Their actions are disgusting and they have definitely become part and parcel to the problem. This group will never be part of any solution.
BLM is not concerned with black lives. It is just a slogan that fronts a group of malcontent racist anarchists. They are no different than the Weather Underground except they are able to sucker thrill seekers and idiots to join their anti-social violent vulgarity strewn eruptions. If they even remotely care about black lives, they would be extolling blacks to stop taking black lives for gangs and drugs.
Society, in general, needs more of God’s spirituality in their lives, especially, young people, … you can help them get it from the web at: YourCyberGodSays.com. … check it out now, Become a “HELPER”. Let’s all learn from this web site and, may God welcome this young police officer to His Heaven, … may his soul rest in peace and, please pray for his family’s recovery from their loss of this brave soul, … YourCyberGodSays.com.
Thats why the schools in this country are so bad because they took the prayers out of schools and so much lack of spirituality is missing society is almost redderless
Also they took the pledge of Alliance out of schoosl and that was not good as that mentions god and country which should be mentioned in an ever increasingly godless society
I wonder if POTUS will show up for the funeral?
SUSAN, THIS COULD BE HIS SON
Just another example of the thinking that these killers and the Blacklives matter have. These 3 black lives do not matter…they should be shot and not waste tax payer money on trials. When this happens most of us do not believe that any of these gang banging , lazy arse blacks lives matter. The black community want it to be that the mothers of these sociopaths should not have to worry about their spawns of satan being shot during the commission of a crime……They should be allowed to commit the crimes without any interference of police and if they resist or attack the police that they have that right with no consequences. I believe that the police have not shot enough of them.
You are absolutely right, Mark. The police should not be provided with guns until they learn to not shoot each other and then blame a civilian. Police who cannot properly operate their weapons are a danger to the whole department!
Which side of the fence will ( Obama) be on???I think we know,,,don’t we know!
Where are all the stupid demonstrators now?????? “POLICE LIVES MATTER”……..”AMERICAN LIVES MATTER”.
This country has been under the control of a Black Muslin as President for the last two sessions and he should be placed under the control of the Military that he has tried to disintegrate to a smaller force ! This is the worst government that we have ever had and we should not vote for anyone who does not consider the vote of the people that promoted him ! What happens who, other that his cronies’ would protect him ?
He has definitely not tried to protect us from ISIS, an organization that was started by Hillary when she was Secretary of State ! She is the biggest Crook in government as she and Oblamer worked hand in hand to ship munitions to Libya through Egypt , also provided Millions of our taxpayer dollars for those Last known amount was $25,Million Dollars sent to Syria through Egypt !
If you spend ant time on the Internet, these things are printed every day, All you need to do id LOOK !
If you know who did the planning, go after them and exterminate with extreme prejudice!
The attack on our police officers is a complete disgrace to our country. You can blame it on this or that but the person responsible for the attack on the police is President Obama. He has created a racial divide we haven’t seen since the 50s and 60s. This racial tension is not going to stop. Obama has fueled these idiots and now we have to deal with it for now on. If we don’t support our police officers we will destroy our country and the future of our children and grandchildren .
Agreed. I can’t wait to see that race baiter leave the WH. Race dividing is what he does best.
When is the half white///half black president going to chaste this crap publicly? Truth is, never. In my life time, I’ve never seen racial tensions so high. Trouble will be right around the corner or until someone who isn’t geared up to keep this major problem going.
Didn’t Obama stick up for the Black Lives Matter movement at one time?
The group that has preached the killing of cops. This guy is not in touch w the American public. Never has been and will probably go down in history for praising BLM & ISIS. This is man that deserves no respect.
All three brothers should get an express ticket to a public hanging with the officer’s family having first choice on pulling the lever.
But, this is the baby killing woman of Babylon, we would not want to violate their free mason rights. So, they will probably get to be Muslim in jail, get to eat food better then 40,000,000+ other Americans and most of Central and South America, while they enjoy their “right” to color cable TV and a library. Of course, no hard work for them such as breaking rocks or picking up litter on the highway. No, only weight lifting to make them a bigger threat to other inmates and the guards.
Personally, the first thing that I would want to know is, “what was their supposed Religion”?? The second thing I would want to know is if they supporters or members of ‘Black Lives Matter’. Those in itself might quite well answer a lot of questions regarding their motives.
Change our planet over night.
Military removes the jack ass in office , we take him to court and sentence him.
Then take the three cowards ( Police killers) and have a public LYNCHING !!
Remove any soft hearted politicians from office.
Remove all non common sense laws and add no new laws, START ENFORCING THE ONES WE HAVE.!!!
Politicians can only run for 2 years !! , and after that can have no job within the state justice system.
Put Prayer and Pledge back in school.
Remove all illegals and send them home, if they are all so good, then they could do their country some good!
When someone wishes to take citizenship in our country, that person will apply like my parents did ! then change nothing about our country!!
All private business can perform business with in the law, meaning they have a right to refuse anything to anybody they wish!!.
All cars in the United States privately owned and operated will not be made to follow City ,county, state and supreme court stupid no sense law rulings like tint, seatbelts and so on. These are private and the government has no say period >>>>>>>>>>>>>>( Money Generator )
Unless commercial vehicle then different rules apply, or you work for a agency or employer which has a right to demand that that employee follows the listed rules pertaining to his or her employment . ( their business or vehicles their rules ) .
Wake up America most people in general are to dam sensitive , self centered and don’t give a shit about others.
Right now the only chance to regain our country back is Mr Trump.
Someone with balls to make a change, not say what people want to hear but , say what needs to be done to fix this Country of ours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!America The GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
robert. Brillant post.
And the words I hope to hear very soon …’ President Donald Trump ‘.
I love that he never did have to actually shoot any cops, the cops went ahead and shot their own guy. Do these guy’s actually train for this job, or they just give them all guns right off the street?