A tragic murder at a senior living facility in Potomac, Maryland has led to the arrest of a 22-year-old employee who now faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of Robert Fuller Jr., a well-known millionaire philanthropist. Fuller, 87, was found dead on Feb. 25 after being shot in the head in her apartment at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living Facility.
According to the Montgomery County Police Department, Fuller was found unresponsive following a 911 call reporting a medical emergency. When officers arrived, they found evidence indicating that he had been shot in a violent attack. The suspect was later identified as 22-year-old Marquis Emmylou James, a paramedic technician employed at the facility, who was arrested on February 24 after police reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence tied to the crime.
James, who had been working at the facility for just over four months, allegedly used his access to the building to carry out the murder. Surveillance footage from the facility showed a masked man entering through an exterior door that was open, and exiting the building shortly after the attack. Authorities also linked James to the scene through additional surveillance video, which led to his identification.
During his interview with police, James confessed to the crime, and investigators later linked him to a separate incident involving a Maryland State Police trooper, where he allegedly fired at the officer during a traffic stop. This connection further strengthened the evidence linking James to the murder.
Fuller, Jr., a retired naval officer and managing partner of Maine’s largest law firm, was renowned for his philanthropic work, including a donation of $1.64 million to upgrade a high school athletic field in Maine. He was also a prominent lawyer and historian who self-published a book. His tragic death has shocked the community, with tributes pouring in from friends and colleagues.
A spokesperson for the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility expressed sadness over the death of a resident, noting that the facility is cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation.
James is currently being held in the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit pending a bond hearing. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the full details behind the murder, and the community mourns the passing of a philanthropist who dedicated much of his life to helping others.