John “Skillet” Ulmschneider
Upper Marlboro, MD – The man responsible for the shooting death of a firefighter last April in Prince George’s County has pleaded guilty to a weapons charge, fire department officials announced.
Darrell Elsworth Lumpkin, 61 of Temple Hills, is alleged to have shot three men who entered his home on the evening of April 15 to check on his welfare. Prince George’s County firefighter John “Skillet” Ulmschneider, 37, died as a result of the shooting. Another firefighter, Kevin Swain and Lumpkin’s brother were also wounded during the incident. No charges were placed against Lumpkin for the shootings. A Prince George’s Grand Jury subsequently indicted him on several charges related to possession a weapon while having a previous felony charge.
During a Friday, Jan. 20 hearing before Judge Graydon S. McKee, Lumpkin pleaded guilty to firearm possession with a crime of violence conviction. He is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced March 31. He faces a maximum of 15 years in jail. In the courtroom Jan. 20 was Ulmschneider’s widow, Dawn, other family members and friends, and several fire department officials.
Ulmschneider was a resident of St. Mary’s County. His funeral in Hollywood several days after the shooting was attended by firefighters from all over the East Coast. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan was also in attendance.
The family has filed a civil suit against Lumpkin seeking damages. A status hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31 in Prince George’s County Circuit Court and will be presided over by Judge Leo E. Green Jr.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com