Transcript

The Hunt For Cop Killer Ralph McLean | The FBI Files

From The FBI Files · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 50 min · 5,831 words · 120 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "The Hunt For Cop Killer Ralph McLean | The FBI Files", an episode of The FBI Files published December 19, 2025 (50 min, about 5,831 words). It mentions 20 people, works and ideas, including Ralph Mlan, Billy Christian, Naen McCrae, FBI, Dr. Jack Abbott.

What this episode is about

In the midst of a rampant crime wave in Washington, DC, a cop killer targeting law enforcement escalates the violence, prompting the Metropolitan Police to enlist the FBI's assistance. The narrative centers around the 1995 shooting of Officer Vance Juan while on security duty, highlighting the dangerous environment for police officers and the urgency to capture the elusive killer and restore safety in the city.

Key takeaways

  • In '95, DC became the wild west; cops were targets in a turf war turned deadly.
  • With the homicide rate skyrocketing, the city's ability to protect itself crumbled under pressure.
  • Cops in uniform at fast food joints became unexpected frontline soldiers against an unseen enemy.
  • The violent crime epidemic prompted FBI intervention, proving even local forces need reinforcements sometimes.
  • The rise in cop shootings revealed a chilling trend: criminals were increasingly organized and ruthless.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 5:00: Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, FBI, Lauren Ledman
  2. – 10:00: Eric Hayes, Dr. Jack Abbott
  3. – 15:00: John Novabilski, Maryland, FBI, District of Columbia
  4. – 20:00: Washington, D.C., Ralph Mlan, Maryland, Naen McCrae
  5. – 25:00: Ralph Mlan, Naen McCrae, Dr. Jack Abbott, Lauren Ledman
  6. – 30:00: Washington, D.C., Virginia, Ralph Mlan, Lauren Ledman
  7. – 35:00: Maryland, Ralph Mlan, Billy Christian, Dr. Jack Abbott
  8. – 40:00: Billy Christian, Ralph Mlan, Maryland
  9. – 45:00: Billy Christian, Dr. Jack Abbott
  10. – 50:00: Billy Christian, John Novabilski, Ralph Mlan, Washington, D.C.

Notable quotes from "The Hunt For Cop Killer Ralph McLean | The FBI Files"

  • On January 10th, 1995, at a fast food restaurant in northwest Washington DC, Metropolitan Police Officer Vance Juan was taking a dinner break while working part-time security.
    about Vance Warren · at
  • Less than two months earlier, on November 22nd, a gang member walked into the District of Columbia's police headquarters with a gun and began firing.
    about Washington, D.C. · at
  • With at least one murder occurring each day, homicide detectives couldn't keep up. For Detective Lauren Ledman and his colleagues, their city was under siege.
    about Lauren Ledman · at
  • Police chief ordered all officers to patrol with a partner and called in the FBI for assistance. Special Agent Jay Abbott was assigned the case.
    about Dr. Jack Abbott · at
  • To find their suspect, the FBI and Metropolitan Police called on their only eyewitness, the cab driver. Okay, you understand?
    about FBI · at
  • Accompanied by a supportive friend, Naen began to detail the vicious assault she received at the hand of Ralph Mlan.
    about Ralph Mlan · at
  • Securing the closest position to the gas station, 20-year veteran agent Billy Christian arrived.
    about Billy Christian · at
  • Mlean had shot himself with a 9mm pistol, the same weapon he had taken from Officer Novabilski, who he murdered a month earlier.
    about John Novabilski · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Ralph Mlan — Person · Primary suspect / perpetrator (cop killer) · 11 mentions · first at
    Central antagonist of the episode narrative; identified by witnesses and forensic evidence as the shooter of multiple officers and killer of Agent Billy Christian and Officer John Novabilski.
  • Billy Christian — Person · Victim officer / FBI agent (surveillance & arrest team) · 13 mentions · first at
    FBI agent killed during the attempted apprehension; his death escalates the manhunt and leads directly into the final shootout.
  • Naen McCrae — Person · Key witness / cooperating girlfriend of suspect · 3 mentions · first at
    Provides the investigative break by identifying Ralph Mlan as the shooter (braces detail) and later assists law enforcement by communicating with him under protection.
    Bruised and battered, Naen McCrae explained to the police officer that she had been beaten by her boyfriend.
  • Dr. Jack Abbott — Person · Lead FBI investigator / main interviewed agent · 7 mentions · first at
    Assigned FBI agent providing investigative perspective; involved in tracking, planning, and responding during the arrest attempt and aftermath.
  • John Novabilski — Person · Victim officer (Prince George's County Police) · 4 mentions · first at
    Murder victim whose killing matches the pattern of the DC shootings; his stolen 9mm pistol is later used by Mlan (per episode) and is part of the closing resolution.
  • Lauren Ledman — Person · Metropolitan Police detective / key on-scene investigator · 3 mentions · first at
    Provides ground-level investigative narrative; present for photo lineup identification and on scene when Agent Christian is shot; participates in pursuit and tactical response.
  • Eric Hayes — Person · Victim officer (survived shooting) · 3 mentions · first at
    Second attacked officer; his shooting yields key forensic evidence (mask hair, gun) and eyewitness identification (cab driver) that later ties to Mlan.
    On January 17th, a few blocks from the White House, Metropolitan Police Officer Eric Hayes was in his patrol car.
  • Vance Warren — Person · Victim officer (survived shooting) · 2 mentions · first at
    First attacked officer in the episode timeline; his shooting establishes the pattern and triggers heightened law enforcement response and FBI involvement.
  • Jim Calstrom — Person · Narrator / referenced authority (former FBI executive) · 1 mention · first at
    Introduces the episode context and stakes as a former head of the FBI New York office; frames the FBI’s involvement.
    Law enforcement targeted criminals, the criminals targeted law enforcement, even gunning down officers on patrol. I'm Jim Calstrom, former head of the FBI's New York office. As the death toll mounted, DC police called upon the FBI for help.

Companies & orgs

  • FBI — Company · Law enforcement agency · 2 mentions · first at
    Key agency involved in the investigation of the cop killer, providing forensic and tactical support.
  • Metropolitan Police Force — Company · Local law enforcement · 1 mention · first at
    Primary law enforcement agency in Washington, DC, overwhelmed by crime and targeted by the cop killer.
    Metropolitan police were overwhelmed with the level of violence in the crushing case loads.
  • Prince George's County Police — Company · Local law enforcement · 2 mentions · first at
    Law enforcement agency in Maryland where one of the officers was killed by the cop killer.
    Maryland police secured the area and interviewed the witness.
  • Washington Field SWAT team — Company · Tactical unit · 1 mention · first at
    Specialized FBI unit involved in the operation to capture the cop killer.
    He called the FBI SWAT team that had been on standby for several days.
  • National Crime Information Center — Company · Law enforcement database · 1 mention · first at
    Database used to check the criminal history of the cop killer.
    Revealed her knowledge of the subject, agents entered Ralph Mlan's name into the NCIC, the National Crime Information Center, to find out if their suspect had any prior convictions.

Places & events

  • Washington, D.C. — Place · Setting · 13 mentions · first at
    Primary location where the cop killer targeted police officers.
  • District of Columbia — Place · Setting · 3 mentions · first at
    Primary location where the cop killer targeted police officers.
    Less than two months earlier, on November 22nd, a gang member walked into the District of Columbia's police headquarters with a gun and began firing.
  • Maryland — Place · Setting · 9 mentions · first at
    Location where one of the officers was killed and where the final confrontation occurred.
    The fugitive wanted to meet Naen in Maryland, nearly 25 miles away from where the SWAT team had assembled.
  • Virginia — Place · Setting · 4 mentions · first at
    Location where the cop killer was tracked and where the final confrontation was planned.
    We were able to locate him at one point in the Fredericksburg Virginia area and were very close to making an arrest at that time, but unfortunately he was able to evade.
  • Beltway Plaza — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at
    Final location where the confrontation with the cop killer occurred.
    The fugitive wanted to meet Naen in Maryland, nearly 25 miles away from where the SWAT team had assembled.
  • Tyson's Corner — Place · Setting · 2 mentions · first at
    Initial planned location for the confrontation with the cop killer.
    Agents and DC officers arrived at the mall in Tyson's Corner, Virginia.

Full transcript with timestamps

[screaming] In Washington, DC, crime had become epidemic. Gangs fought over drug turf, leaving corpses in their wake. The Metropolitan Police Force was overwhelmed as the homicide rate climbed to over 400 per year. Before officers could stem the tide of violence, they became the targets. A cop killer was on the loose, and police turned to the FBI to stop him. There we go.

In 1995, our nation's capital was also our nation's murder capital. Even the police weren't safe. While Washington DC law enforcement targeted criminals, the criminals targeted law enforcement, even gunning down officers on patrol. I'm Jim Calstrom, former head of the FBI's New York office. As the death toll mounted, DC police called upon the FBI for help. The hunt was on to find a cop killer and to bring order to a town in trouble. But things would only get worse before they got better. On January 10th, 1995, at a fast food restaurant in northwest Washington DC, Metropolitan Police Officer Vance Juan was taking a dinner break while working part-time security.

It had become common practice for businesses to hire uniformed off-duty police officers to protect their establishments. Everyone felt more secure.

Customers and employees alike. I know that. [screaming] No one inside saw the dark figure retreat into the shadows.

Two bullets grazed the back of the officer's neck. He peered out into the darkness looking for the shooter, then radioed for assistance.

We have shots fired. He didn't know where the shots came from or if the gunman was still out there waiting to strike again.

Responding officers raced to the scene, but the gunman was nowhere in sight. There was no attempt at a robbery. It appeared the shooter's sole purpose was to kill the officer.

From witness accounts, police believe the shooter acted alone. The forensic team recovered two 32 caliber slugs from inside the restaurant. No shell casings were found at the scene. Though officer Vance Warren survived the shooting with only minor injuries, others weren't so lucky. Less than two months earlier, on November 22nd, a gang member walked into the District of Columbia's police headquarters with a gun and began firing. In an instant, the police sergeant and two federal agents were dead. The fourth was critically wounded.

With no chance for escape, the killer turned the gun on himself. Police couldn't help but suspect the shootings were somehow connected, even though there was no evidence linking the attack on Officer Warren to the shooting at police headquarters. The attempted murder of the officers seemed like one more incident in an escalating war over drugs and turf. Metropolitan police were overwhelmed with the level of violence in the crushing case loads. With at least one murder occurring each day, homicide detectives couldn't keep up. For Detective Lauren Ledman and his colleagues, their city was under siege.

We rode the wave of the crack epidemic that came in. It paid a heavy toll on our citizens in the in the uh murder rate. We had serious amount of cases. We had a lot of violence. We escalated to the uh position of being per capita uh one of the worst in the nation. It was about to get even worse. On January 17th, a few blocks from the White House, Metropolitan Police Officer Eric Hayes was in his patrol car. A taxi cab double parked on the opposite side of the street. While the officer filled out paperwork, a man approached his cruiser.

He shot the patrolman four times at close range. Wounded in his chest, legs, and abdomen, Officer Hayes struggled out of his vehicle. The cab driver witnessed the shooting. He reported it to his dispatcher. Look, it was just sunset running down the alleyway.

As the shooter bolted, the cab driver circled around the block. Making his getaway, the gunman stripped off his mask and jacket in an attempt to change his appearance. When the cabbie turned the corner onto the next block, he saw the shooter emerge.

I got him. I got him. Go and alerted his dispatcher that the shooter hailed him.

Not realizing the cabbie had witnessed the shooting and followed him. The asalent got in.

The driver discreetly turned off his radio and the dispatcher notified police. Just

keep straight, man. Keep straight. An APB was issued for taxi number 440. The driver tried to remain calm, hoping police would find his car. Within minutes, cops picked up the taxi's trick.

The gunman barked a new address and told him to keep driving. In an instant, the driver slammed on the brakes. Your

head off, man. The asalent discarded his gun and ran. He evaded the pursuing officers. Police retrieved the weapon which held six used shell casings and called for backup to search the area. At the crime scene, officer Hayes fought for his life.

He survived emergency surgery where doctors removed four 32 caliber slugs. An officer called in a forensics unit to gather evidence.

They scoured the crime scene. Before gathering any physical material, they photographed the entire area.

In the alley, they found the clothing discarded by the asalent, including a black ski mask. They hoped clues revealed in the lab could lead to the shooter's identity. Fearing another blindside attack, the police chief ordered all officers to patrol with a partner and called in the FBI for assistance. Special Agent Jay Abbott was assigned the case.

But what had happened up to that point led us to believe that my god, we may be dealing with some sort of gang in DC that's just decided to take it upon themselves to to declare war on the police and just start trying to kill police.

Metropolitan police fought back with forensics. They sent all physical evidence gathered from the crime scenes to the FBI laboratory, one of the foremost forensics labs in the world. Clothing recovered from the most recent shooting was forwarded to the hair and fiber unit. This unit works 2500 cases a year from around the country. The DC cop shooting case was given top priority. After the clothes were scraped over a clean sheet of white paper, the surface was inspected carefully for artifacts. An examiner discovered a single head hair from the ski mask.

When a suspect emerged, a sample of his hair would be compared to the one found. A match would be vital in a successful prosecution. The gun, the casings, and the recovered slugs were sent to the FBI's firearms and tool marks unit. Agents needed to determine if the 32 caliber revolver left by the asalent was the weapon used to shoot the officers.

Every gun possesses distinct spiral grooves inside its barrel. When a bullet is fired, those grooves leave an imprint on the projectile. The grooves from a fresh bullet would be compared to the grooves on the recovered slugs to see if they corresponded. The bullet sample together with the slugs were forwarded to an analyst for scrutiny under the comparison microscope. The bullets matched. This confirmed that the 32 caliber revolver was the weapon used in the two most recent shootings. Investigators were now looking for one man.

To find their suspect, the FBI and Metropolitan Police called on their only eyewitness, the cab driver. Okay, you understand?

Um, anything. They asked him to provide a description of the asalent to a police sketch artist.

The cababie described an African-Amean man with a medium complexion and square jaw.

The most distinguishing feature he remembered was that the gunman wore braces on his teeth. Investigators contacted area dentists and orthodontists to see if they recognized the man in the picture as one of their patients. The composite was also distributed through television, newspapers, and local business. A reward prompted hundreds of phone calls. Special Agent Jerry Baml helped work the leads

based on leads which we generated, telephone calls which we received, possible identifications from the dentists and orthodontists. We identified approximately 100 individuals who could have been suspects in this shooting of uh the police officers.

Investigators worked around the clock to narrow the field of suspects. We were working seven days a week on this case because it had a certain urgency to it given the fact that a subject was stalking police officers and attempting to kill him. Over several months, suspects were interviewed and eliminated one by one. Agents and detectives made no arrests.

Thousands of investigative manh hours had led nowhere. Then on April 26th, Officer John Novabilski of the Prince George's County, Maryland police was hired to guard a liquor store in nearby Landover, a suburb of the District of Columbia. A masked gunman approached and fired at close range. He unloaded 16 rounds. The policeman never had a chance. Then he took the downed officer's 9mm pistol. From a nearby corner, a witness heard the shooting and called for help. But it would come too late. Officer Novabilski died instantly.

Maryland police secured the area and interviewed the witness. There was no apparent motive, no warning, and the victim was a cop. The pattern seemed to match the two shootings in Washington. There was tremendous similarities between the killing of Sergeant John Novilleski and the wounding of our two police officers here in Washington DC in that an individual walked up to a seated police officer and without provocation opened fire and shot the officer. 5 months had passed since the first officer was shot. Agents were no closer to finding their suspect, and now he was wanted for murder.

Washington police and FBI agents scoured the streets looking for the asalent who had wounded two of their colleagues. As they continued to hunt, Maryland police made an arrest for the murder of their officer. There was no evidence linking the Maryland suspect to the two attacks on DC police. Special Agent Jay Abbott believed the DC attacker was still at large and could strike again at any moment.

But we felt this person was probably going to try to kill another police officer somewhere in Washington DC or in the vicinity. And and it gave us real positive concern that uh we weren't able to follow up any viable leads during that time. On May 18th, 1995, while investigators continued their search in Washington, a young Maryland woman arrived at a Prince George's County precinct.

Bruised and battered, Naen McCrae explained to the police officer that she had been beaten by her boyfriend. Accompanied by a supportive friend, Naen began to detail the vicious assault she received at the hand of Ralph Mlan.

So 9:00 last night, Agent Baml recalls its severity. Mlan tried to kill McCrae the evening of the 17th, which was the reason that she came forth to the police on the 18th. Uh he beat her into unconsciousness. He stuffed drugs into her. all the information I need from you.

The Prince George's County police officer issued an arrest warrant charging MLAN with attempted murder.

24 hours. He recommended that Naen get a thorough medical examination. On the way out, Naen's friend pleaded with her to tell the officer the reason Mlan had almost beaten her to death. Naen hesitated.

It's okay. She was afraid of what else Mlan might do if she said anything more.

Reluctantly, she told the police officer what she knew. The night the sketch of the suspect appeared on the television news three months before, she was surprised to see Mlan prying the braces off his teeth.

When she questioned him, Mlan screamed at her to mind her own business. According to Naen, her boyfriend Ralph Mlan was not only responsible for the shootings in Washington, he was also a cop killer. Her boyfriend had advised her that they uh had the wrong person for the shooting that occurred in Landover, Maryland with Officer Novabilski.

She provided the break that agents were looking for. Okay, Nen, I'm going to call another detective who's handling this.

Naen McCrae, so reluctant to speak at first, knew that now there was no going back.

I think she realized how dangerous the person was and was very willing to cooperate with us. It was I think at that point she also realized that her own life was in danger now. uh having uh revealed uh her knowledge of uh the uh subject,

agents entered Ralph Mlan's name into the NCIC, the National Crime Information Center, to find out if their suspect had any prior convictions. For agent Baml, the database revealed that Mlan was no stranger to crime. He had a long history of criminal activity here in Washington, DC, totaling over 20 arrests. Those arrests were for some petty crimes, shoplifting, but they did escalate to uh assault on police officer, drug distribution type charges. Also,

investigators secured a search warrant for MLAN's apartment. It was a very tense uh time just to go into that residence uh with the possibility that he could be there uh and with all the tension of uh realizing what they might find.

Mlan wasn't home. Investigators began searching the apartment. Survivalist magazines, weapons manuals, and how-to guides for terrorist operations were strewn everywhere. The materials detailed how to conduct surveillance, conceal movements, and catch victims by surprise.

In the living room, the forensic team uncovered a black ski mask similar to the one found at the second shooting.

Yeah, that fits the description, too. They also discovered 9mm cartridges, the same type used in the assault that killed the Maryland officer.

In a cabinet, they found more ammunition. This time for a 32 caliber weapon. That's very important to us because the shooter of Sergeant Eric Hayes and Officer Vance Warren used a 32 caliber revolver in that shooting. Also, a manual for a Mac 11 assault weapon was found. And additionally, lots of writings of anti- police type hatred were found within the residence.

Forensics examiners searched for strands of hair to compare to the one found previously. Get a bag up here.

The team took samples from hair brushes, bed sheets, even the drain in the bathroom sink.

Be real careful. Get it on you. It's got hair all in it. If hairs from MLAN's apartment matched the hair recovered from the crime scene, agents would have forensic evidence against the fugitive.

There's more in here. Let me get the rest of this out. Armed with a photograph of a suspect, detectives called on the cab driver.

They asked him to look at a photo lineup to see if he could identify Mlan as the man who shot Officer Hayes.

Metropolitan Police Detective Lauren Ledman was there for the lineup. The cab driver had always told us that uh if you ever, you know, show me a picture of the guy, I will recognize him. You know, you hear that, right? But I mean, he said it with a lot of passion.

Investigators handed photos to the witness one at a time. He studied each carefully. When he was handed the fourth photo, the whole terrifying incident came flooding back.

He was staring into the face of Ralph Mlan. Just like that. He was talking to the picture as if Ralph Mlan was there. He was talking to him through the picture. It was the best identification I've ever seen. I mean, he's screaming at this picture. Investigators now had two witnesses who pointed to Ralph Mlan as the cop killer. Science would be the third witness. At the FBI labs, examiners matched the hair samples retrieved from Mlan's apartment to the hair recovered earlier from the clothing found at the officer Hayes shooting.

It was the critical piece investigators needed to secure an arrest warrant for Ralph Mlan.

At that point, we were armed with uh some very serious evidence. Um we had the girlfriend with the admission. We had the hairs and we drafted an affidavit for signature for a superior court judge. And in the middle of the night, we went out and we obtained that warrant.

But first, they had to find Mlan. Investigators canvased all of his known haunts. The suspected cop killer had apparently fled the area and agents had no idea where he was headed. Ralph Mlan was wanted for shooting three police officers in and around Washington DC, killing one. A month had passed since the last shooting, and investigators had no clues to his whereabouts. To find him, they looked to his girlfriend Naen for help.

Yes. She was under constant police protection since Mlan had tried to kill her.

Naen spoke with Mlan through his cell phone. He was not aware that investigators were listening.

You want to meet? Through their conversation, Special Agent Jay Abbott and his team were able to track Mlan's movements.

We were able to locate him at one point uh in the Fredericksburg uh uh Virginia area and uh were very close to making an arrest at that at that time, but unfortunately uh he was able to evade uh our attempts.

Their conversations continued over two more days. I don't want to go. Authorities learned that Mlan was traveling south to Florida, but he never gave Nine a specific location. Investigators wondered if Mlan knew his girlfriend was cooperating with police. She told them that he monitored the news constantly on a portable TV. If they were going to catch Mlan, they needed to surprise him and keep his name out of the media. That meant keeping the arrest warrant out of the national system

in South Carolina. That decision would work against them when a highway patrolman pulled him over for a moving violation. The officer approached and asked to see a driver's license and vehicle registration. Mlan showed him his registration and claimed his license was in the trunk. The South Carolina officer, just weeks away from retirement, followed him to the rear of the automobile.

Mlan rifled through his belongings and pulled out his license. Get back in the car.

The officer told Mlan to return to his vehicle while he called in to see if he had any outstanding moving violations. He also checked to see if the car had been reported stolen. Records indicated that it was legally registered to Ralph Mlan.

directions to the town's magistrate's office to pay the fine. The officer survived the incident, but authorities had missed an opportunity to capture the cop killer.

Back in Washington, Detective Lauren Ledman looked for a way to lure him back to the area.

We were faced with somebody that was mentally unstable that was uh out actively shooting police officers. We were kind of at his mercy and because he was calling the shots and the the key was is we needed to get him nailed down in a location where we could surround him.

Investigators once again depended on Naen's help. They advised her to promise Mlan a reconciliation if he returned.

Hey, you want to meet somewhere? Mlan said he was interested in the offer, though he wouldn't agree to when or where they would meet again.

Investigators worried that they were losing the element of surprise. We were looking for a little bit of an edge, but that edge was uh taken away from us. The media found out about it. They broadcast his name, um, his photograph and so forth, which really bothered us because it brought us to another heightened level.

They hoped Mlan hadn't seen the broadcast. On Memorial Day weekend, Mlan called Naen. He was ready to meet with her.

That's good. As instructed by the FBI, Naen suggested meeting at a large shopping mall in Northern Virginia, a place where agents could maintain surveillance without being noticed.

What I'll do is I'll I'll call you when I get to the mall. Mlan agreed to the location.

The information was relayed to agents in Washington. Special Agent Al Buckley in charge of the arrest plan was notified. He called the FBI SWAT team that had been on standby for several days. When I heard the information that Mr. Mlan was heading back to the Virginia or Washington DC area, I felt that Mr. Mlan was coming up to do two things. Either to kill Naen and possibly kill an additional police officer. Agents and DC officers arrived at the mall in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. The first task was to set up a perimeter.

They had to be certain that once Mlan arrived, he would not slip through. Collectively, the team had decades of experience. This should have been a routine operation. I've been involved in in several arrest situations where meetings are held before the arrests and a lot of times uh there's a lot of joking around just to relieve the tension. I'd have to say that that night was a little bit different. It was quiet and that's probably the first time in my FBI career that uh I could just cut the silence with a knife. The team finalized plans and waited for word that Mlan arrived

at the Prince George's County Police Station where Naen kept in contact with MLAN. The dispatcher relayed information to agents in the field.

Agent Buckley got the call. Mlan had changed the rendevous location. The fugitive wanted to meet Naen in Maryland, nearly 25 miles away from where the SWAT team had assembled. The sudden change of plans was troubling. The call suggested that Mlan might have known he was being set up. Wanted cop killer Ralph Mlan was on his way to a green belt Maryland plaza to confront his girlfriend Naen. An FBI SWAT team was racing there to intercept him. Since Mlan had changed the location from Tyson's Corner, Virginia, investigators suspected the armed fugitive knew Naen was cooperating with authorities.

Special Agent Jay Abbott was gravely concerned at the time. We began to sense that he had suspicions uh of what was happening and and given those suspicions uh that added to the sense of urgency even more. Uh we weren't sure that he would uh actually show up at one of these locations to meet Naim. He might begin to smell that there was a trap. As they got closer, agents turned off their blue light and constantly monitored the radio.

A police dispatcher relayed updates to agents in the field. He kept them posted on MLAN's plans, learned through conversations with 5151 to 600 block.

Agents were at the mercy of the fugitives winners. After changing the location several times, the team got word that MLAN decided to meet at a gas station across from Beltway Plaza. They scrambled to set up a perimeter around the gas station. Agents hoped they would have enough time to secure the area. Once in place, they would wait for Mlan to either show up or call. Detective Ledman took his position in a field across from the gas station.

He believed Mlan would show up to see Naen despite suspicions of a trap. We didn't even know if he really wanted to meet her. We just felt that he was just trying to get in shooting range of her to kill her. Why? Because she was the only earwitness to this shooting of this police officer. As the team continued to assemble, Naen remained at police headquarters on the cell phone with MLAN. Securing the closest position to the gas station, 20-year veteran agent Billy Christian arrived. The schoolyard across the street offered the best vantage point.

If Mlan appeared, Agent Christian would be the first to see him. This is number one.

Other team members set up on nearby streets, hoping to spot MLAN's car as it approached. pressure mounted as they waited and watched.

It was very tense. Al Buckley and I were sitting in a vehicle together just a couple hundred yards away trying to direct the activity of a number of people and it was very tense. I remember uh saying to him when we were in the car, I I just hope that we can get him without anybody getting hurt.

Finally, the team was notified that the suspect had called Naen. Go ahead. He complained that he didn't see her at the gas station. Mlan was in the area, but agents couldn't get a precise fix. Investigators believed he was very close. This particular time, he was whispering, which led me to believe that somebody was close to him, which caused me to look around to see was I on top of him and didn't know it. Hidden behind a small hill, Detective Ledman checked the gas station again, but he still didn't see Mlan. Scanning to his right, the detective could see Christian's car. From his position, Christian also surveyed the area, but he too saw no trace of the fugitive.

At that point, a local officer out on his regular patrol approached Christian's car from behind.

The patrolman, unaware of the arrest, thought the agent's car seemed suspicious.

Bill Christian, to his credit, realized and recognized the danger that the officer was in and and exited his vehicle, walked to the vehicle, and showed him his credentials. Uh that action probably identified Bill Christian to Ralph Mlan as a law enforcement person.

The officer turned off his lights and pulled away from the scene. Christian resumed his surveillance. while investigators watched for MLAN. He was watching them. The element of surprise and the tactical advantage was MLAN's. Well camouflaged in dark clothes, he surveyed the car where agent Christian sat waiting and watching.

He advanced slowly and deliberately on Christian's position. Agents knew he was out there. Something.

Anxieties ran high since Mlan's calls to Naen had stopped. The cop killer continued to advance. With Christian's gaze fixed on the gas station, Mlan stalked the agent. FBI agents and DC detectives surrounded a gas station in Green Belt, Maryland, waiting for cop killer Ralph Mlan to show himself. The arrest team knew he was close, but they didn't know where. Mlan was advancing on Agent Billy Christian from the shadows.

Christian heard something, turned to look, but saw nothing. He heard it again, glanced around, but no one was there. MLAN's low profile hidden below the agent's line of sight. The killer continued to advance on his unsuspecting prey. Rising just beyond the agent's line of sight, the plane lifted his MAC 111 machine gun and aimed it at Christian. Muzzle bursts ripped through the night air. Christian slumped in his seat. Detective Ledman spotted the plane sprinting into the woods and called for backup.

The detective pulled the bleeding agent from the car, laid him flat, and made a second call for assistance.

Agents Jay Abbott and Al Buckley were among the first to respond. Uh, we heard a um a call come over the radio of shots fired

and that the subject is running. When we pulled up on Billy Christian's car, we realized that Billy had been shot. The window had been blown out.

Detective Ledman tried to help the fallen agent before rescue units arrived. He had been hit on the blind side to his left at a 45 degree angle. He had been hit several times and um he was dead.

The cop killer had claimed another life. This person had just killed a colleague, not just a colleague, but a a good friend. Uh a mentor to some of us. He had been around for a long time, a 20-year agent, and and to have this happen was enraging.

Units from several jurisdictions responded instantly. A Prince George's County officer arrived with a police dog and started to hunt from a plane in the dark.

I remember him running up to Billy's car. I remember him looking at Billy and sniffing at the door door area and then turning around and trying to make a beline back toward the school.

The team tore off into the darkness with the dog and their semi-automatic weapons. They didn't know if they were walking into another trap. We started into the wooded area. I had my flashlight out and I remember just clicking on my flashlight on and off because at that point I was afraid that if I kept the beam on, the Mr. Mlan would to be able to focus in on either one of us.

The darkness worked in MLAN's favor. We went into the woods in an attempt to at least try to locate uh which way he went or where he went. And it was probably an error in judgment to do that when I look at it in retrospect, but that's how high the emotions were at the time. The team pressed on, but Mlan had enough of a lead to plan a deception

as he ran away from the scene uh after just shooting Bill Christian. He had the wherewithal uh to call 911 and report that he saw a man with a gun uh leaving the area in a vehicle. This was an obvious attempt to try to uh throw those of us who were in pursuit uh in another direction to try to aid in his escape. Tracing the call, agents knew he was still in the area, but they didn't know exactly where. It appeared the fugitive cop killer had evaded authorities once again. He ran through the parking lot of the nearby plaza.

The team was infuriated by the senseless murder of Billy Christian. They stealed themselves to continue the pursuit. Agents and local investigators alike vowed to stop the cop killer before he killed again.

Anger was probably the the biggest feeling that I had that night. Uh frustration frust I was frustrated that we're all not going home tonight. Billy has to stay here. As agents Buckley and Abbott continued to track the fugitive's path through the woods, Detective Ledman received a call from investigators positioned in the parking lot of the plaza. Mr. Mlan had run and um gotten behind the store and had a large ramp that leads up to the back of the store where there was three trailers and he had secluded himself behind those.

Mlan opened fire on pursuing officers. They took cover on the ground and returned fire. Emerging from the woods, agents Abbott and Buckley saw officers being fired upon. They pulled their guns and joined in the fight. The plane was dug in and well armed. Officers were pinned down. No one knew how to get to him without losing another. FBI SWAT team member Jerry Bal arrived on the scene. He aimed at the fugitive but didn't have a clear shot. He saw an opportunity to flank the plane and maneuver it to his right.

While police and agents traded fire with the cop killer, Baml remained hidden from the claim. Then he stepped out from behind the dumpster and began firing on the shooter from the opposite side. From his position, Baml noticed that Mlan had a possible escape route. The loading dock ended with a railing and then a 10-ft drop wall. And I realized that Mlan could conceivably get over that wall and flee into the lower parking area where there were no agents or officers at the time. BML blocked MLAN's exit with gunfire.

Now MLAN is receiving fire from two different positions. He swung around and split rounds where Ber was stunned. The agent returned fire. Mlan was hit. Agents and officers continued firing.

Mlan fired one more round. Then there was silence. I waited a moment and then there was a call out, something like, "He's down. He's down." Baml hesitated before advancing on MLAN's position to be sure this wasn't another trick while officers and agents waited in the lot with guns at the ready. Agent Baml made his way alongside the trailer, approaching the motionless figure. Another agent advanced on the opposite side.

As they moved in, an officer yelled from the darkness that he saw movement. He was going to fire two more rounds towards Mlan.

As soon as he yelled that, I yelled, "Don't shoot. Don't shoot. Don't shoot." Because I was immediately concerned of the fact that we were had placed ourselves into a deadly crossfire situation. It was over.

Mlean had shot himself with a 9mm pistol, the same weapon he had taken from Officer Novabilski, who he murdered a month earlier. The cop killer was dead, but the price was steep. Uh this person uh the subject uh had one goal in mind in my opinion and that was uh to kill police officers and why I I will never know but uh it appears it was apparent to me that that was what he had decided to do for whatever reason at some point in his life.

Agent Billy Christian was close to retirement when he was gunned down. He had worked with agent Baml over the span of his long career. Billy had been a 20-year agent with the FBI. Billy was an expert marksman, a firearms instructor, one of the first members of the FBI's hostage rescue team, the full-time special weapons and tactics team, and he was also a member of the Washington Field SWAT team. The names of Agent William Christian and Officer John Novabilski were added to the law enforcement memorial, commemorating those who have fallen in the line of duty.

My desk here at the FBI overlooks the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and not a day goes by that I don't think of my friends. Their sacrifice remains vivid and is recalled each Memorial Day.

There is a feeling when you lose a brother or sister, agent, and officer that a part of you is lost and they will never be forgotten. There you go.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "The Hunt For Cop Killer Ralph McLean | The FBI Files"?

Jim Calstrom (Host), Lauren Ledman (Guest), Jay Abbott (Guest), Jerry Baml (Guest), Naen McCrae (Guest), Billy Christian (Guest).

What is "The Hunt For Cop Killer Ralph McLean | The FBI Files" about?

In the midst of a rampant crime wave in Washington, DC, a cop killer targeting law enforcement escalates the violence, prompting the Metropolitan Police to enlist the FBI's assistance. The narrative centers around the 1995 shooting of Officer Vance Juan while on security duty, highlighting the dangerous environment for police officers and the urgency to capture the elusive killer and restore…

What is mentioned in this The FBI Files episode?

20 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Ralph Mlan, Billy Christian, Naen McCrae, FBI, Dr. Jack Abbott, John Novabilski. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "The Hunt For Cop Killer Ralph McLean | The FBI Files"?

The episode runs 50 min; the transcript is about 5,831 words in 120 timestamped sections.

More from The FBI Files

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 25, 2026.