Murdered Millionaire—Why a Caregiver Turned Killer

A trusted medication technician allegedly disguised himself in a wig and mask to execute an 87-year-old millionaire philanthropist in his own bedroom at a luxury senior living facility, then opened fire on a state trooper ten days later.

Story Snapshot

Robert Fuller Jr., an 87-year-old philanthropist worth millions, was shot to death in his Potomac senior facility apartment on February 14, 2026
Police arrested 22-year-old medication technician Maurquise Emillo James, who had routine access to Fuller’s room and allegedly wore a wig and mask to commit the murder
Ballistics linked James to a separate shooting ten days later when he allegedly fired at a Maryland State Police trooper during a traffic stop
Investigators found wigs, masks, and paper towels matching evidence at the crime scene in James’ residences, though no motive has been established
Fuller had donated $1.64 million to his hometown high school and supported numerous Maine charities throughout his life

The Philanthropist Who Made Millions and Gave Them Away

Robert Fuller Jr. descended from Supreme Court Chief Justice Melvin Fuller, but he built his own legacy far from Washington’s power circles. The retired Navy reserve officer and attorney channeled his wealth into Maine communities, writing checks that transformed struggling institutions. His $1.64 million donation to Cony High School arrived when COVID-19 had devastated athletic program funding. Fuller also supported MaineGeneral Medical Center, the Kennebec Valley YMCA, local libraries, and historical societies. At 87, he resided at Cogir Potomac Senior Living in Maryland’s affluent Potomac suburb, where monthly fees rival mortgage payments and security seemed assured.

When the Caregiver Becomes the Killer

Maurquise Emillo James walked Fuller’s hallways daily as a medication technician, enjoying unfettered access to vulnerable residents. On February 13, 2026, James administered medications to Fuller and his roommate as scheduled. He returned later with an unusual question: had the Oxycodone taken effect? The query struck staff as odd, but nothing prepared anyone for what followed. Around 7:30 a.m. on February 14, police responded to a medical emergency call and discovered Fuller dead from a gunshot wound to the head. His roommate, sleeping feet away, never heard the shot that ended a philanthropist’s life.

The Disguise That Almost Worked

Surveillance cameras captured a figure with long dark hair, a mask, and a distinctive gait prowling the facility around the murder timeframe. Montgomery County Police released the footage publicly, seeking identification from anyone who recognized the suspect. Investigators initially believed the hair was real. The truth proved more calculated: James allegedly donned a wig specifically to obscure his identity while executing a man he saw daily. Police found no signs of robbery. Nothing was stolen from Fuller’s apartment. The killing appeared targeted, yet investigators struggled to identify any motive, a puzzle that persists even after James’ arrest.

Ballistics Crack the Case Wide Open

Ten days after Fuller’s murder, at 3:30 a.m. on February 24, a Maryland State Police trooper conducted a traffic stop in Baltimore. The driver opened fire, leaving the trooper with powder burns before fleeing into the night. Hours later, police arrested James outside a Rockville traffic courthouse where he faced unrelated charges. Forensic teams matched bullet casings from Fuller’s apartment to those recovered from the trooper shooting. Searches of James’ residences uncovered wigs, masks, and paper towels consistent with evidence at the senior facility. Surveillance footage also showed James re-entering Cogir Potomac after the murder, a brazen move that helped seal his fate. He now faces first-degree murder charges for Fuller’s death and attempted murder for the trooper shooting.

The Questions That Haunt Senior Living Facilities

James claimed he maintained a good relationship with Fuller, according to Captain Sean Gagen of Montgomery County Police. The suspect denied harming the philanthropist, yet evidence tells a different story. How does a 22-year-old medication technician pass background checks and gain employment at a luxury facility housing wealthy, vulnerable seniors? What screening failures allowed someone capable of premeditated murder to dispense medications and access private apartments? Cogir Potomac Senior Living now faces uncomfortable scrutiny about hiring protocols. Families entrust these institutions with their most fragile loved ones, paying premium rates for safety that proved illusory. The case exposes an insider threat that keeps families awake at night: the caregiver who exploits access to harm rather than heal.

An Industry Faces Its Reckoning

Fuller’s murder reverberates beyond one Maryland facility. Assisted living operators nationwide recognize that residents cannot defend themselves against staff who abuse trust. The elderly population in such facilities continues growing as Baby Boomers age, creating urgent demand for rigorous employee vetting. James held without bond in Rockville, awaiting trial in the same courthouse where his traffic case brought him within police reach. His arrest validates the value of forensic science and multi-agency coordination. Maryland State Police and Montgomery County investigators connected two seemingly unrelated violent incidents through ballistics analysis and surveillance footage. The philanthropist who gave millions to uplift communities died at the hands of someone paid to care for him, a betrayal that demands answers about how facilities protect those who can no longer protect themselves.