No Charges In Shooting Death Of Md. Cop By Another Officer

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WJZ) -- At first called an act of "friendly fire," the shooting death of a Prince George's County police officer by another officer still launched a criminal probe. The grand jury's finding were released on Friday, WJZ's Alex DeMetrick reports.

Last March, police poured into a Prince George's County precinct after Michael Ford opened fire in a bid to commit suicide by cop. He was wounded and arrested, along with his two brothers who were allegedly there to take pictures of the attack.

"The environment was incredibly chaotic. We had officers under fire," said Chief Hank Stawinski, Prince George's County Police Department.

Officer Jacai Colson was killed, shot by fellow officer Taylor Krauss.

"I do not for a second believe that this was a police officer intentionally firing at another police officer," said Stawinski.

But the county's top prosecutor opened a grand jury probe into the killing, a seven week investigation examining evidence and witnesses.

"We presented an array of charges. Everything from first-degree murder to depraved heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, misconduct in office," said Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George's County State's Attorney.

All of which the grand jury denied.

"Officer Taylor Krauss, as the shooter in this case, they have declined to return an indictment," said Alsobrooks.

Krauss still faces a departmental investigation. Colson, who was working undercover and was shooting at Michael Ford, may have been mistaken as another attacker.

"That may have factored into how he was perceived that day," said Alsobrooks.

RELATED: Chief Says Officer 'Mistaken As Armed Threat' When Shot By Another Officer

While Officer Krauss was cleared of any crimes, it was not the outcome the dead officer's family was hoping for.

"These are grief-stricken parents, and they were disappointed. My heart continues to go out to them. They had a truly magnificent son," said Alsobrooks.

The criminal trial of the three brothers charged with the attack is scheduled for October.