Police in Montgomery County, Maryland have charged Marquis Emilio James, 22, with first-degree murder following a shooting that killed Robert G. Fuller Jr., 87, at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living Facility on February 14.
According to the Montgomery County Police Department, the suspect, James, had worked at the facility as a medication technician since last October. Initial investigations determined that James disguised himself with a long wig and a mask before approaching the victim's apartment around 7:30 a.m. on the day of the crime.
Security cameras captured images of a person wearing a distinctive plaid jacket leaving the courtyard area through a door with a disabled alarm system. Police stated that the alarm sensor on this door had been turned off in January, a time when James was the only person using that entrance.
At the scene, police found no signs of property theft in Mr. Fuller's apartment, and no firearm was found inside the room. A folded tissue was found near the door, suspected to have been used to prop the door open on the day of the crime and subsequent days. On February 20, after investigators released images of the disguised suspect, numerous tips were received, helping to identify James.
Around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a Maryland State Police trooper attempted to stop a silver Infiniti with no license plates. The driver, identified as James, fired at the officer and fled, causing minor injuries to the officer. Forensic investigation later determined that the 9mm shell casings at this shooting scene matched those recovered from the scene of Mr. Fuller's murder. U.S. Marshals tracked down and arrested James in Rockville after a short foot pursuit.
Robert G. Fuller Jr. was a former Navy Reserve officer and an attorney in Augusta, Maine. He was well-known for his philanthropic activities, having donated more than $1.6 million to upgrade Cony High School's athletic facilities during the financial difficulties caused by the pandemic. James is currently being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit awaiting a bond hearing. If convicted, the suspect faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
