Police Release Chilling Surveillance Footage in Hunt for Killer of 87-Year-Old Philanthropist
Police have released chilling surveillance footage of a shadowy figure they believe may be responsible for the execution-style killing of 87-year-old legal scion and philanthropist Robert Fuller Jr. inside an upscale Maryland senior living facility. The Montgomery County Department of Police Major Crimes Division has formally classified his death as a homicide and is urgently seeking public assistance.
Disturbing Video Shows Suspect at Scene
The eerie footage shows a person with long dark hair walking away from the camera in an outdoor area of the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility around the time Fuller was found shot dead inside his apartment. Investigators stress there is no clear description of the suspect's gender or race, with police stating explicitly that "The person shown in the video could be male or female." The individual's face remains obscured due to the camera angle, making identification challenging.
Fuller, a retired Navy Reserve officer and prominent Maine attorney, was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head on the morning of Saturday, February 14, at the facility on Potomac Tennis Lane. Montgomery Fire Department personnel and police officers responded just after 7:30am on Valentine's Day, finding him unresponsive and pronouncing him dead at the scene.
Police Appeal for Public Assistance
In a press release, detectives say they are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death. Authorities obtained surveillance video showing "a person on the property of the senior living facility around the time of the homicide" and consider this individual a suspect in the case.
Investigators are urging anyone who recognizes distinctive clothing worn by the individual - particularly a black and cream checkered shirt - or who can identify the person's gait to come forward. Police emphasize that even subtle distinguishing characteristics could provide vital clues. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000 through Crime Solvers of Montgomery County.
Facility Responds to Tragedy
Authorities have described the killing as an isolated incident. In an email to WTOP, Cogir of Potomac Executive Director Rachel Grant confirmed: "What we can tell you is that this was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to residents or staff." Grant added that security at the facility has been stepped up and counseling is being offered to residents following the traumatic event.
Remembering a Philanthropic Legacy
Robert Fuller Jr. was a towering presence in Augusta, Maine, where he practiced law for more than 35 years and built a reputation as both a formidable attorney and deeply committed philanthropist. He later moved to Maryland to be closer to family, but maintained strong ties to his hometown community.
His philanthropic impact was substantial:
- In 2021, Fuller made a $1,640,000 donation to fund improvements at the Alumni Field athletic complex at Cony High School after the project stalled during COVID-19 pandemic financial challenges
- The Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce noted he donated more than $1.6 million to modernize the complex, with the field subsequently named in his honor
- His wide-ranging philanthropy included support for the local hospital, historical society, YMCA, Old Fort Western, a local library, and a scholarship fund assisting high school students in Augusta and neighboring communities
Augusta Mayor Dave Rollins previously stated: "It's hard to express our depth of gratitude to Bob for what he has done for and continues to do for our City. I speak for the entire community when I say 'Thank you Bob Fuller - Augusta is a better place because of you.'"
Community Reaction and Personal Life
Fuller himself described his charitable giving as more than simple philanthropy: "I believe that when a high school has a continuing history of athletic success, it fosters a sense of community pride. It rubs off. So I don't think of my action as simply a gift but rather as an investment in Augusta's future."
News of his violent death has stunned those who knew him. Friends and community members have remembered him as generous, civic-minded, and devoted to both his adopted Maryland community and his Maine hometown. One friend wrote on Facebook: "Not even safe in a senior living facility. Bob did so much for Augusta. God rest his soul." Another commenter noted: "RIP Robert Fuller Jr. He was murdered in Maryland at his home. He was 87. Bob gave generously to Maine. He loved his State."
Fuller met his wife, Moira, in 2001, and the couple remained together until her death in May 2023. The investigation continues as police work to identify the mysterious figure captured on surveillance footage and bring justice for the beloved philanthropist whose life ended in such tragic circumstances.
