No Murder Charge for Homeowner Who Shot 2 PG County Firefighters

Upper Marlboro, MD – A Temple Hills homeowner, possibly confused by medical complications tied to diabetes, will not face a murder charge for fatally shooting a Prince George's County firefighter.

But prosecutors said Thursday that a grand jury has indicted Darrell Lumpkin on six counts of illegal possession of firearms. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison.

Lumpkin reportedly shot and killed Lt. John E. Ulmschneider, a firefighter and paramedic, 37, who died April 15. Morningside Volunteer firefighter Kevin Swain, 19, was shot four times during a welfare check that went wrong in Temple Hills.

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The two firefighters responded to a call to check on Lumpkin, who wasn’t responding to family members. But, the resident reportedly thought his home was being broken into when he shot the pair of firefighters and a brother trying to check on his welfare.

"We understand, based on the prosecutor who responded to the scene that night, that it appeared that the homeowner was asleep" when the firefighters tried to get inside, State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said Thursday, NBC Washington reports.

She said at a press conference that Lumpkin reportedly shot the firefighters with a .380-caliber handgun and also had .40-caliber and .25-caliber handguns in his house. A conviction in the 1980s, possibly for assault, bars Lumpkin from owning guns.

Swain is still recovering from his gunshot wounds, fire officials said Thursday.

Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor said that he supports the process police and prosecutors followed to determine if murder charges should be filed.

“I would like to thank the County Police Department and the State’s Attorney for their due diligence, time and effort in bringing us to this point," Bashoor said. "My thoughts and prayers remain with the Ulmschneider family and the entire Fire/EMS Department as they process this news today as well as to Kevin Swain and his family as he continues his recovery.”

SEE ALSO:

• Firefighter Healing from 4 Gunshot Wounds to Help Charities
• Slain Firefighter: Wife Says Daughter 'Will Know the Hero' Dad Was
• Family Prepares to Bury Firefighter; Grand Jury Subpoenas Shooter
• No Charges Filed Against Homeowner in Fatal Shooting of Maryland Firefighter: Police

The Prince George's County Fire Department is now considering outfitting its crews with bulletproof vests.

Ulmschneider, known as "Skillet" to friends and family, is survived by his wife, Dawn, and their 2-year-old daughter, Abigail.

On a fundraising website set up to help them, Dawn Ulmschneider thanked the members of the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department for their support.

“Family doesn’t begin to describe the sense of belonging I feel toward the brothers and sisters of this IAFF family,” she wrote. “I am proud to be a PGFD wife and I find pride in wearing the PGFD insignia. Your love and support means the world to me. As the pictures and stories come in, I know that Skillet lives in each and every one of you. When I share all of your fond memories in the future with Abigail, I know that she will know the hero my husband was.”

Donations in Swain's Name

In lieu of donations for expenses, Kevin’s family has requested that a charity fund be established in Kevin’s name to benefit three causes that are close to his heart. A link to donate is on the YouCaring website.

The first charity that the fund will benefit is the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. In addition to the NFFF, money will also be donated for Cystic Fibrosis Research as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment. Kevin’s family specifically requested that the department raise money for these three worthy causes, as they all have the ability to help people, just as Kevin does.

"The American Fire Service is a tight-knit family, and when an event such as this one takes place, it is felt across the nation and around the world," organizers said online. "We at the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department are honored to assist Kevin’s family in establishing this charity fund, and respectfully request that you donate whatever you can spare to help us make a difference in Kevin’s name."

»Photo of Lt. John Ulmschneider, courtesy of Prince George's County Fire Department