2 Brothers Pled Guilty For Shooting Spree That Killed Prince George's County Officer

LANDOVER, MD — Two brothers pleaded guilty Tuesday for their involvement in the March 2016 shooting that killed a Prince George's County cop outside of a police station. Their brother, Michael Ford, is headed to trial for allegedly starting the gunfight that caused an officer to mistakingly shoot and kill a fellow officer at the District 3 Police Station in Landover.

Elijah Ford, 18, and Malik Ford, 21, pleaded guilty to separate charges in the March 13, 2016 attack. They reportedly knew Michael’s plan to ambush a police station and witnessed the fatal shooting, but did nothing to stop it. The two brothers allegedly sat in a car outside of the station and recorded the deadly assault on their cell phones.

Elijah pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and faces 12 years in prison. Malik pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and using a handgun to commit a felony. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Their older brother, Michael DeAndre Ford, 23, of Landover is accused of shooting at police in a "suicide by cop attempt," sparking a gunfight in which Officer Jacai Colson, 28, a four-year veteran of the department died from a bullet fired by a fellow law officer. Michael was indicted on 55 counts.

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 police officers didn’t shoot randomly or panic, as they were aware of the residences behind their target and cars passing by as Michael fired at them, Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said. The officers involved were looking for the threat.

SEE ALSO:

• Officer's Death: Murder Charge Thrown Out Against 2 Brothers
• UPDATE Maryland Police Officer Killed in Ambush; Two Brothers in Custody
• Governor Orders Flags Lowered, County Executive Notes 'Sad Loss'

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.

Officer Taylor Krauss was identified as the officer who accidentally killed Colson during the shootout. Colson was dressed in civilian clothes and was not in body armor. “He is not prepared for a firefight,” the chief said.

Stawinski denounced the brothers of the suspect for failing to warn passers-by or stop their brother at a press conference after the attack.

“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.

The involved officers were: 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.

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.”

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.

Photo: Prince George's County Police Department