Page 3 - Aruba Today

U.S. NEWS A3
Tuesday 15 March 2016

Brothers accused in recording attack that left officer dead

act of the Ford brothers, Colson, he said, “reacted was being sought for al-
for their own motives. We to protect his fellow police legedly assaulting his wife
have reason to suspect officers and his community. there the day before.
that the Ford brothers did And while doing so we had The attack at 4:30 p.m. Sun-
not expect (Michael Ford) individuals videotaping, as day disrupted a quiet, rainy
to survive his encounter if it’s a game, as if it’s some- afternoon in Landover, a
with police,” the chief said. thing we’re going to put on suburb northeast of down-
The police union leader, YouTube and glorify.’ town Washington, D.C.
John Teletchea, was livid The chief said there were Prince George’s County
that the suspects would no outstanding warrants State’s Attorney Angela
coldly watch and record against the gunman, but Alsobrooks called it “cow-
what he said their own that information conflicts ardice” and a “horrific act
cellphone evidence shows with a sheriff’s report from of evil,” promising an ag-
was an unprovoked and Greenville, South Carolina, gressive investigation and
premeditated attack. which said Michael Ford prosecution.

A black band covers the badge of Prince George’s County po-
lice chief Henry P. Stawinski as he speaks about the shooting
of police officer Jacai Colson, during a news conference at at
Prince George’s County Police headquarters Monday, March
14, 2016, in Hyattsville, Md.

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

JESSICA GRESKO of shots,” the chief said.
Associated Press “It’s my sad duty to have
CHEVERLY, Md. (AP) — An to share with you that, cir-
undercover narcotics offi- cumstantially, we believe
cer was mortally wounded the fired round that led to
by one of his colleagues as Detective Colson’s death
he responded to an attack was fired by one of his fel-
on his police station by a low Prince George’s Coun-
gunman with a death wish, ty officers reacting to this.”
their police chief angrily ex- In the confusion, despite
plained on Monday. their restraint, one of the
And while Officer Jacai other officers’ bullets hit
Colson lay dying, the gun- Colson, the chief said. Four
man’s two brothers coldly other officers fired their
recorded Sunday’s firefight weapons, and it is not yet
on their cellphones, Prince known who fired the fatal
George’s County Police bullet,
Chief Hank Stawinski said, said the chief, who praised
tapping a podium and try- their restraint as well as
ing to contain his emotions. the “extreme heroism” of
The gunman, Michael Ford, Colson, who “drew fire to
dictated a “last will and himself and in doing so was
testament” just minutes be- mortally wounded.”
fore his two brothers drove Colson was declared dead
him to the station, where later in a hospital. Michael
he began spraying bullets Ford, 22, was expected
at passing cars and even to survive, along with his
an ambulance to draw of- brothers Malik, 21, and Eli-
ficers outside, police said. jah, 18. All three were ar-
Colson arrived at the sta- rested and will face dozens
tion after the firing began. of charges between them,
He was wearing civilian the chief said.
clothes without body ar- Stawinski said federal
mor and leaping out of an agents have determined
unmarked car. that there was no larger
“Police officers run to disor- plot behind the ambush.
der. They run to the sound “This appears to be the