Arrest made in 87-year-old man’s killing at Potomac assisted living facility

Police say they’ve arrested an employee of the Potomac, Maryland, assisted living facility where an 87-year-old man was found shot to death more than a week ago.

Montgomery County police have not yet named the suspect who was arrested in connection to the killing of Robert Fuller Jr.

Fuller was found shot in the head in his apartment at the Cogir of Potomac facility on Valentine’s Day. He was a philanthropist, attorney and retired Navy Reserve officer.

Investigators told News4 there’s a connection between the arrest in Fuller’s killing and a traffic stop police did early Tuesday morning in Baltimore during which a suspect shot at a Maryland State Police trooper and took off. Police said the trooper was hurt, but is going to be OK.

Maryland State Police said Wednesday the suspect, 22-year-old Maurquise Emillo James, was arrested and charged with attempted murder in the traffic stop shooting.

Montgomery County police are set to give an update about the arrest in Fuller’s killing during a 3 p.m. news conference. Check this story for more updates.

Last week, Montgomery County police released surveillance video showing “a person on the property of the senior living facility around the time of the homicide.”

Police asked people to take a close look at the suspect’s clothing and gait. They said at the time they were unsure of their gender or race.

Police haven’t said yet if the person shown in the video was who they arrested.

In a letter sent to residents and obtained by News4, Cogir called the killing an isolated incident and said in part: “Please know that you are safe. Law enforcement responded immediately and remains involved as they conduct a complete investigation. […] At this time, there is no ongoing threat to anyone in our community.”

Security at the property has been upgraded since the homicide, a Cogir of Potomac spokesperson told News4. A memo sent to residents said county crisis staff will be on site for several days next week to provide support to residents and staff.

Fuller spent much of his life in Augusta, Maine, people who knew him told News4. He was a prominent lawyer who took pride in his work as a philanthropist and donated millions to help the community, Maine State Rep. Bill Bridgeo said.

“A new YMCA , a new hospital in town, a big expansion to our high school,” he said.

Bridgeo said he’s planning to honor Fuller in Maine’s state legislature.

“If I can make it to 87 years old and have accomplished a small fraction of what he was able to do in his life, I will feel like I led a full life,” he said.