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Gunman meant to die in station shootout

Orange evidence markers could be seen on the ground and a damaged police cruiser was still parked outside the station.

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Prince George’s County Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson, 28, was shot in an exchange of fire with a gunman who began shooting outside police headquarters on Sunday, apparently without provocation. Colson’s 29th birthday was to occur this week.

In the aftermath of the shooting, police now believe the shooting was an ambush set up, with brothers Malik and Michael Ford conspiring to take down one of the police station’s targeted officers on patrol.

Police said they didn’t know of a motive, but the suspect and a man police officials described as his brother were both in custody.

Several roads have been closed in the area to allow for police response and investigation.

A second suspect was taken in for questioning. They said the Prince George’s County Police remains the lead investigating agency.

Dave Cheplak, a spokesman for the ATF in Maryland, was unable to say how many ATF agents were assisting.

His high school coach, Joe LaRose, said Jacai Colson’s grandfather was also a police officer. That person appeared to be in stable condition, Doubleday said.

The woman who identified herself as the aunt of two suspects said Michael Ford opened fire around 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Neither suspect was immediately identified.

“The officers are devastated”, Stawinksi said later. Police did not name him and said charges are pending.

Police in Maryland say a police officer was critically wounded in a shooting, and one suspect is in custody.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci). Prince George’s 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.

Other officers are gathered at Prince George’s Hospital Center, according to WTOP’s Dick Uliano, where Stawinski spoke to reporters. Most students, he said, would have wilted under the pressure of playing with older students.

The Maryland State Highway Administration later tweeted that some major routes in the area were reopening with delays expected. Colson, a four-year v… Residents in the area were asked to shelter in place while the search was underway, but were later given the all-clear after the second suspect was located.

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.

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The woman couldn’t immediately be reached by The Associated Press.

Officer critically wounded, gunman at large after Maryland shooting