Maryland Police Officer Dies in Attack at Station

March 14, 2016
Prince George's County Police Officer Jacai Colson was killed in a shootout with a gunman at the department's District III station on Sunday.

A Prince Georges County, Maryland police officer was shot and killed during a shootout with a gunman outside of a police station Sunday.

Officer Jacai Colson was outside the District III station, which is attached to the department's headquarters at 7600 Barlowe Road in the Palmer Park area of Landover around 4:30 p.m. p.m. when the unprovoked attack took place.

A preliminary investigation found the suspect opened fire outside the front doors of the station when Colson returned fire before he was wounded in the exchange.

"Our officers were going about their business and were attacked," Police Chief Hank Stawinski said at a press conference.

The four-year veteran of the department, who would have turned 29 this week, was transported to Prince George's Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect was also struck and was transported to a local hospital where he remained under police custody. A second suspect was taken in for questioning and investigators are working to determine the motive in this case.

Prince George's County FOP President John "Zeek" Teletchea told reporter that Colson was "a cops cop."

"He was a personal friend. I'm going to miss him"

Funeral arrangements for Colson are pending.

Officer.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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