Man Arrested in Murder of Millionaire in Maryland Senior Living Facility

Spread the love

An arrest has been made in the Valentine’s Day murder of an elderly millionaire, who was found fatally shot inside of a Potomac, Maryland, senior living facility.

Montgomery County Police said they arrested Maurquise James, 22, on Tuesday, February 24, and has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, felony assault, and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

James is alleged to have killed Robert Fuller Jr. on February 14 inside the Cogir Potomac Senior Living Facility.

Fuller, 87, was found unresponsive after he experienced trauma to his head in an apartment at the facility. First responders took measures to revive Fuller, who had been shot in the head, but their attempts weren’t enough and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

7News is reporting that James has not been charged yet with Fuller’s murder. Instead, the charges already filed against him stem from his alleged shooting at a Maryland State Trooper during an early morning traffic stop in Baltimore City Tuesday.

According to reports, James opened his car door during the stop and fired at the trooper, who was not hit. The trooper did suffer powder burns due to the close proximity of the shooting, according to investigators. James drove off, but his face was captured by the trooper’s bodycam.

7News is reporting the suspect was once employed by the Cogir Senior Living Facility.

After identifying James as the suspect, investigators learned he was due in traffic court in Rockville on Tuesday. He was arrested when he showed up at the courthouse.

It wasn’t clear if James was represented by legal counsel. He remains in police custody without bond.

Fuller was well known for his work as a lawyer in Maine that included a career that lasted more than 30 years. Additionally, he served as a senior officer in the Naval Reserve and was a published author. He released his debut novel, Unnatural Deaths, in 2009.

He was also very philanthropic and donated to many institutions over the years.

Reports indicate Fuller gave a $1.64 million gift to modernize Cony High School’s Alumni Field complex in Augusta, Maine, in 2021. Fuller donated to the school, which later named the field the Fuller Field, out of a belief that when “a high school has a continuing history of athletic success, it fosters a sense of community pride.”

The city of Augusta issued a statement upon his death, saying “More than his philanthropy, Mr. Fuller believed in Augusta, in its people, its future, and its potential. He supported projects not simply as investments, but as acts of community stewardship. On behalf of the City Council, City staff, and the residents of Augusta, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Fuller’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

Fuller was also known for being a descendant of Melville Fuller, who was the eighth chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He served in the role from 1888 until 1910.

Fuller was a Democrat who was appointed by President Grover Cleveland. He notably established the “Separate but Equal” doctrine, which upheld that state-sponsored racial segregation did not violate the 14th Amendment.

Source link