Jacai Colson, a Prince George’s County Police Officer was fatally last Sunday, March 13th, in an unprovoked attack outside of a Maryland police station.

At around 4:30pm, gunshots erupted in front of a police station in Landover, a suburb roughly 10 miles northeast of downtown Washington, D.C. Several officers quickly rushed out to engage the attacker.

Once the first gunshot erupted, officers issued a warning to residents near the station to stay inside, and avoid the area, because of an “active shooter” situation. They lifted the “shelter in place” warning around 7:30pm, after the suspects were apprehended. 

Officer Colson, 28, was quickly shot by the suspect, who opened fire on him with no warning. He was pronounced dead after being taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center shortly after the incident.

Two suspects are said to have been involved in the attack, one of whom was injured in the shoot-off, and another who fled to a nearby fast-food restaurant. Both suspects have been placed in custody.

“Those officers did not shrink.” said Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski, of the officers involved in the incident. “They bravely advanced and engaged this individual who was threatening not just the police officers and the police facility that he was opening fire upon but numerous members of the community in the area.”


The Washington post reported that a woman who lived close to the station grabbed her 14-month old baby and hid in the bathroom when she heard the gunshots. The woman reported to the newspaper that when she she looked outside, she saw a man dressed in black firing a handgun.

“He fired one shot, and then he started pacing back and forth, then fired another shot,” said Lascelles Grant, a nurse. She then recounted that police began pouring out of the station. “Just looking outside, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, look at all these police officers running out, putting their lives really in danger.’”

According to Chief Stawinski, the attack “wasn’t about anything.” “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.”

Officer Colson, a four-year veteran of the department who was working as an undercover narcotics officer at the time of his death, was a few days shy of his 29th birthday.

“Jacai had an infectious smile, he lit up a room,” said FOP President Zeek Teletchea, who called Officer Colson a “cop’s cop” and personal friend.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks states at a press meeting that the incident was an “act of cowardice” and a “horrific act of evil.” She promised an aggressive investigation and prosecution of the suspects, whose names had not been released.

Rest in Peace, Officer Colson. We are beyond grateful for your courageous service.


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