Man shot at police hoping for ‘suicide by cop’ charged with second-degree murder

The shootout by a police station in Washington resulted in an undercover policeman being killed

 

Rachael Revesz
New York
Wednesday 16 March 2016 20:51 GMT
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Michael Ford opened fire randomly while his two brothers filmed it on their cell phones
Michael Ford opened fire randomly while his two brothers filmed it on their cell phones

A man who had allegedly hoped for a “suicide by cop” by shooting at police officers has been charged with second-degree murder, according to the police.

22-year-old Michael Ford is facing 25 charges including attempted murder and conspiracy as he approached a police station in Landover, a Washington suburb, and started shooting, as reported by WJLA.

Several officers returned fire and a plain clothed officer called Jacai Colson was killed in the cross fire.

Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinksi said that the officer who killed Mr Colson had aimed at his colleague, but multiple sources said the officer mistakenly thought that Mr Colson was a suspect during the chaos of the shootout.

He insisted that no malice had been involved. He declined to say why the fatal shot at Mr Colson had been fired, or if any of the officers knew it was their colleague.

The officer in question has not yet given a statement.

The Washington Times reported that Mr Colson was a 28-year-old undercover narcotics police officer who drove up to the police station as the fight between the three men and six officers was taking place. As Mr Ford stopped to reload his handgun, Mr Colson got out of his car and "drew the fire to himself".

Michael Ford (pictured below) was also shot and is in hospital, where is being held on a no-bond status.

PGCPD

Mr Ford was driven to the police station by his two brothers, 21-year-old Malik and 18-year-old Elijah, who both filmed the incident on their phones.

The brothers also recorded Mr Ford’s “last will and testament” before the shooting occurred. They are also being held without bond.

“I've lost three kids in one shot,” the men's father, Michael Thomas, said in court.

“He didn't pull the trigger,” Mr Thomas said of Malik Ford. “My son is excellent. He's a great person.”

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

Relatives said in court that Elijah Ford had not been seeking "YouTube celebrity" by filming the shootout on his phone.

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