Man accused of fatally shooting firefighter, wounding another during welfare check indicted

TEMPLE HILLS, Md. - A grand jury has failed to indict a man for murder after he shot and killed one firefighter and wounded another.

Firefighter John Ulmschneider, 37, a firefighter medic and 13-year veteran of the fire department was killed last April and Kevin Swain, 19, who is a volunteer firefighter was seriously injured when they responded to an emergancy call in Temple Hills.

On Thursday, Prince George's County State's Attorney announced that Darrel Lumpkin, the homeowner, was indicted on six weapon charges but not the homicide she was after. She said that Lumpkin had been convicted of assault in 1980 and was not permitted to have guns. These charges against Lumpkin carry about 45 years in jail.

The whole incident started when police said a concerned resident called for assistance, believing a relative was possibly suffering a medical emergency inside the home. Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said the person inside the home did not answer to a knock at the door by authorities, and a decision was made to enter the house to check on the individual. As they were attempting to enter, the person in the home fired several shots through the door, hitting the two firefighters as well as the concerned relative who made the call.

Ulmschneider was shot in the chest and transported to MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center where he later died. According to Prince George's County Fire and EMS spokesperson Mark Brady, Swain sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was flown by helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where he underwent surgery.

According to a post by Prince George's County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady, John "Skillet" Ulmschneider lived in St. Mary's County. His normal duty assignment is at Landover Hills Fire/EMS Station 830. Ulnschneider leaves behind a wife and 2-year-old daughter.

Police said the suspect turned himself in to police and did cooperate with investigators. No tiral date is set at this point.