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Maryland firefighter shot and killed during medical call

Posted at 7:50 AM, Apr 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-16 07:50:30-04

MARYLAND (CNN) — A firefighter was shot dead and a second one seriously injured while responding to a medical call at a home in Maryland, authorities said.

John Ulmschneider, 39, died after the shooting in Prince George’s County on Friday night, fire officials said.

The firefighters were responding to a relative’s call “expressing concern” about the occupant of the home, the county Police Department said in a statement.

As the firefighters tried to enter the home, the occupant shot them, police said. Specifics on the call were unclear, but authorities said it was medical-related.

Prince George’s County police officers rushed to the scene and arrested the suspect.

Kevin Swain, a volunteer firefighter, was also shot and is in serious condition, police said in a statement.

The family member who called 911 was also shot, but the injuries are not life-threatening, authorities said.

Ulmschneider was a paramedic and a 13-year veteran of the county’s emergency medical services.

Colleagues mourned the fallen paramedic, 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.

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