3 brothers arrested after death of Maryland cop Jacai Colson

CNN

8 years ago

Police stand outside a Popeyes restaurant during an investigation into the murder of Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the Prince George’s County police force, who was shot outside the District III police station, on Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Hyattsville, Md. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Prince Georges County police chief Henry P. Stawinski speaks about the murder of Jacai Colson, during a news conference at Prince George’s County Hospital Center, on Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Cheverly, Md. Colson, a four-year veteran of the force was shot outside the District III police station. (Evan Vucci/AP)

This undated photo provided by the Prince George’s County Police Department shows officer Jacai Colson, a 4-year veteran of the Maryland county’s police force. A gunman fired outside a Maryland police station on Sunday, March 13, 2016, prompting a gun battle that killed Colson and wounded the suspect, authorities said. (Prince George’s County Police Department via AP)

Police walk inside a Popeyes restaurant during an investigation into the shooting of a Prince George’s County police officer outside a police station, on Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Hyattsville, Md. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Police stand outside a Popeyes restaurant during an investigation into the shooting of a Prince George’s County police officer outside a police station, on Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Hyattsville, Md. (Evan Vucci/AP)

CHEVERLY, Md. — Three brothers are in custody in connection with the shooting death of a Prince George’s County, Maryland, police officer who was killed Sunday after at least one of the suspects opened fire on a police station, authorities said Monday.

The information came in a tweet from the department. The tweet offered no further details and did not identify those arrested.

3 Prince George's County brothers are in custody in connection with the death of Officer Jacai Colson. #LODD pic.twitter.com/Q5gDyIUXJ1

— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) March 14, 2016

Chief Hank Stawinski told reporters that a suspect launched an unprovoked attack. Officers returned fire.

During the exchange, the suspect was wounded, Stawinski said. He is expected to survive. A second suspect was also arrested.

The chief identified the fallen officer as Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the department. Colson would have celebrated his 29th birthday this week.

According to Stawinski, the suspect opened fire on the first officer he saw. Other officers then became aware of what was happening and returned fire.

“It wasn’t about anything. This man launched an attack on a police station,” the chief said about the suspect. “Officers weren’t in the process of apprehending him or engaging him in any way. They were going about their business on a Sunday afternoon, at their ‘home,’ when they were attacked.”

Colson was assigned to the department’s narcotic enforcement division and had worked as an undercover officer — though that had nothing to do with his killing, Stawinski said.

Fraternal Order of Police President John Teletchea described the attack as unprovoked and unprecedented.

He remembered Colson as someone with an infectious smile and tremendous personality.

“He was a police officer who was a real cop’s cop. He didn’t shy away from any calls. He never shirked his responsibility. He was always working and he was always there for his fellow brothers and sisters,” Teletchea said.

He added: “Personally, he was a very close friend of mine. I’m going to miss him dearly.”

In a statement, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he was “shocked and saddened” by Colson’s killing. He ordered that flags fly at half-staff in his memory.