John Ulmschneider was shot dead while responding to a medical call at a home in Maryland. He and another firefighter were
responding to a relative’s call “expressing concern” about the occupant of the home.
By Faith Karimi
CNN
(CNN) — A gunman shot two firefighters — killing one — and one of his relatives on Friday evening after the firefighters were asked to check on him at his Maryland home, authorities said.
Firefighter John Ulmschneider, 39, died after the shooting in Prince George’s County, fire officials said.
The firefighters were responding to a relative’s call “expressing concern” about the home’s resident, the county police department said in a statement.
As the firefighters tried to enter the Temple Hills home, the occupant shot them, police said. Specifics on the call were unclear, but authorities said it was medical-related.
The family member who called 911 also was shot, but the injuries are not life-threatening, authorities said.
Prince George’s County police officers rushed to the scene and arrested the suspect.
Kevin Swain, a 19-year-old volunteer firefighter, was shot four times and was in serious condition, police said in a statement. He is expected to survive.
Ulmschneider was a paramedic and a 13-year veteran of the county’s emergency medical services.
Colleagues mourned Ulmschneider, described as a father and a husband.
“We are beginning to prepare to send our brother home,” said Benjamin Barksdale, the deputy chief of the county fire and EMS department.
CNN’s Lindy Royce and Leslie Holland contributed to this report.
