Firefighter Recovering After Being Shot Friday Evening

TEMPLE HILLS, Md. (WJZ) -- One of the firefighters shot during what should have been a routine medical check is recovering and showing improvements, moving from intensive care.

Marcus Washington reports the man who shot the firefighter killed another firefighter and injured his own brother---and has been released from custody, leaving a lot of people wondering why.

What happened at this home in Temple Hills has everyone who lives nearby confused.

"I was just shocked. Like I said earlier, I've lived here for 40 years and never seen anything like this," said neighbor Richard Vetter.

Records show the brother of the man living in the home asked for a welfare check on his brother, who suffers from diabetes and hadn't responded. Since this was a medical issue, the fire department responded.

Nineteen-year-old firefighter Kevin Swain knocked down a panel to get inside the home. Firefigher John Ulmschneider was the first one inside and was shot by the man inside, who is said to have thought it was a home invasion.

Ulmschneider died from his injuries.

Swain and the brother of the shooter were also hit.

"It's just very unsettling," said neighbor Sharon Vetter.

Sharon and Richard Vetter say their neighbor was always kind and they couldn't believe what was happening outside their home.

"It's a loss to the family, to the community and to his friends and we don't understand why," she said.

"To have a life end in tragedy by gunfire is something we are coming to grips with. We are still in shock," said Prince George's County Fire Department Spokesperson Mark Brady.

John Ulmschneider leaves behind a wife and a two-year-old daughter.