Update: Officer has been pronounced dead. Two suspects in custody.
Prince George’s County Police Officer Jacai Colson, a four-year department veteran assigned undercover, died Sunday night after two men ambushed the department’s District 3 station in Landover, Maryland.
At around 4:30 p.m. two men opened fire on several officers and shot 28-year-old Mr. Colson, who is a four year veteran of the PGCPD. Mr. Colson was taken to Prince George’s County Hospital Center where he died.
Police apprehended both suspects quickly. One was also taken to Prince George’s County Hospital Center, where police said he was being treated for non life-threatening wounds, and the other was taken to police headquarters for questioning.
Police have no motive for the attack and have not named the shooter. But the shooter and a man police officials described as his brother were both in custody.
Police Chief Henry Stawinski said when the suspects opened fire, officers were just going about their business and hadn’t made any contact with them. Suddenly, the officers were involved in a shootout.
“Those officers did not shrink,” Chief Stawinski said at a Sunday night press conference at Prince George’s County Hospital Center. “[Mr. Colson] stepped into action. I’m very proud of him.”
Police are still investigating any motives for the shooting and didn’t expect any updates until Monday morning. Chief Stawinski did say police were working with the F.B.I.
P.G. State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said the killing of Mr. Colson was a “horrific act of evil.”
“We have another mother tonight without her son,” Ms. Alsobrooks said. “Murder is a crime against our entire community. And that’s how we will treat it. We will turn to the law.”
P.G. Fraternal Order of Police President John Teletchea said Mr. Colson was a good friend of his and that the officer, who worked undercover as a vice cop, was known for his infectious smile.
“This is a police family that is truly, truly grieving right now,” Mr. Teletchea said. “But even now while we grieve the men and women of the police department are actively doing their job protecting this community.”
A spate of recent police officer shooting deaths and increasing anti-police rhetoric have some law enforcement officials concerned.
Colson graduated from Chichester High School in Boothwyn, Pa., where he was born, and went on to play football at Randolph-Macon College, according to a team roster. Pedro Arruza, the football team’s coach, recalled Colson for his strength of character.
“He was a great kid,” Arruza said of Colson, who played one season for the team at defensive back and wide receiver. “A really respectful kid and just a high-character young man. He treated everyone with respect. ... To be honest, he wasn’t a great player, but he was a really great person.”
Prince George’s County Police Officer Jacai Colson, a four-year department veteran assigned undercover, died Sunday night after two men ambushed the department’s District 3 station in Landover, Maryland.
At around 4:30 p.m. two men opened fire on several officers and shot 28-year-old Mr. Colson, who is a four year veteran of the PGCPD. Mr. Colson was taken to Prince George’s County Hospital Center where he died.
Police apprehended both suspects quickly. One was also taken to Prince George’s County Hospital Center, where police said he was being treated for non life-threatening wounds, and the other was taken to police headquarters for questioning.
Police have no motive for the attack and have not named the shooter. But the shooter and a man police officials described as his brother were both in custody.
Police Chief Henry Stawinski said when the suspects opened fire, officers were just going about their business and hadn’t made any contact with them. Suddenly, the officers were involved in a shootout.
“Those officers did not shrink,” Chief Stawinski said at a Sunday night press conference at Prince George’s County Hospital Center. “[Mr. Colson] stepped into action. I’m very proud of him.”
Police are still investigating any motives for the shooting and didn’t expect any updates until Monday morning. Chief Stawinski did say police were working with the F.B.I.
P.G. State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said the killing of Mr. Colson was a “horrific act of evil.”
“We have another mother tonight without her son,” Ms. Alsobrooks said. “Murder is a crime against our entire community. And that’s how we will treat it. We will turn to the law.”
P.G. Fraternal Order of Police President John Teletchea said Mr. Colson was a good friend of his and that the officer, who worked undercover as a vice cop, was known for his infectious smile.
“This is a police family that is truly, truly grieving right now,” Mr. Teletchea said. “But even now while we grieve the men and women of the police department are actively doing their job protecting this community.”
A spate of recent police officer shooting deaths and increasing anti-police rhetoric have some law enforcement officials concerned.
Colson graduated from Chichester High School in Boothwyn, Pa., where he was born, and went on to play football at Randolph-Macon College, according to a team roster. Pedro Arruza, the football team’s coach, recalled Colson for his strength of character.
“He was a great kid,” Arruza said of Colson, who played one season for the team at defensive back and wide receiver. “A really respectful kid and just a high-character young man. He treated everyone with respect. ... To be honest, he wasn’t a great player, but he was a really great person.”
