Wrongful Death Lawsuit In Officer Shooting Settled Against County

Bowie MD

12 May, 2022

2:50 PM

Description

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The family of Jacai Colson has reached a settlement in its wrongful death lawsuit against the county. Colson is a police officer who was shot and killed by another officer in 2016 during a gunfight that unfolded outside of police headquarters in Prince George's County. Lawyers for Colson's family spoke at a press conference Wednesday and disclosed that the family's settlement will be the most allowed under Maryland law but did not share the exact dollar amount. The March 13, 2016 incident happened when Michael Ford planned and carried out an attack on police officers outside the Landover station while his brothers, Malik and Elijah, recorded the shootings on their cellphones. Video of the deadly attack shows the gunman screaming obscenities and shouting in between gunshots. During the exchange of gunfire, investigators say Officer Taylor Krauss fired a fatal shot that hit and killed Colson. Authorities say Krauss thought Colson, a narcotics detective in plain clothes, was an armed threat and shot him after Ford began firing. Krauss did not face charges in the shooting and is no longer with the police department. Ford was convicted of murder and sentenced to 200 years in prison. Malik Ford was sentenced to 20 years behind bars and Elijah Ford to 12 years in prison.