The man authorities say shot two Maryland firefighters – one of them fatally – has been released from prison without charges.
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John “Skillet” Ulmschneider died after being shot on a well-being check Friday in Prince George’s County.
Authorities say firefighters knocked on the door, and when they received no answer, they forced their way in to render care. As that was happening, several shots rang out, striking two firefighters and the brother, authorities said.
Ulmschneider was accompanied by another firefighter, Kevin Swain, 19, who was shot four times.
The person inside the home fired shots that struck a firefighter from the ambulance, a firefighter from the engine company and the relative who originally who called for help. Police have not released the brothers’ names.
An online fundraiser for Ulmschneider’s wife and daughter has been established by IAFF Local 1619: Prince George’s County Professional Fire Fighters Association. At that point, fearing the man may have been in danger due to medical distress, the firefighters made the decision to force entry into the home.
Mark Brady, a fire department spokesperson, confirmed that the firefighters/medics decided not to wait for police to arrive before entering because they felt that the man might be having a medical emergency and they felt they needed to get inside as soon as possible.
The state’s attorney’s office is continuing to investigate with police to “piece together what happened”, said a spokesman for the office, John Erzen.
“He wanted to help others, he loved doing what he was doing, being a paramedic and a firefighter, and I really believe that he was doing God’s work”, Krieger told the newspaper.
As police continued their investigation, family members and colleagues mourned the death of the one firefighter and prayed for the recovery of the other.
The funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 also at St. John’s Parish. Police said the fire department crew entered the house after forcing open a door and was met with gunfire.
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At a press conference Friday night, Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said he was profoundly sorry to discuss the loss of a firefighter just 24 hours after a state trooper was critically wounded in the county.
