Maryland Assisted Living Worker Charged in Millionaire's Murder, Shooting at Trooper

Marquis Emilio James, 22, accused of disguising himself in wigs to kill 87-year-old Robert G. Fuller Jr. and shoot at a state trooper

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A 22-year-old assisted living employee in Maryland is accused of disguising himself in long female wigs and executing an 87-year-old millionaire philanthropist he treated nightly, and is now also charged with shooting at a Maryland state trooper while on the run.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about security and employee vetting at senior care facilities, as well as the dangers posed by repeat offenders who are able to evade law enforcement. The shooting of a state trooper also raises broader questions about public safety and the need for stronger gun control measures.

The details

Marquis Emilio James, a medication technician at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living Facility, was allegedly seen on surveillance footage entering and exiting through a tampered courtyard door around the time 87-year-old Robert G. Fuller Jr. was fatally shot in the head in his apartment. Investigators later determined the door's alarm sensor had been disabled on a day when James was the only person seen using it. Days after Fuller's death, James was found inside the facility after his shift ended, gave a suspicious explanation to other workers, triggered another exterior door alarm, and fled when a supervisor was going to be notified. At about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, a Maryland State Police trooper pulled over James' car, and as the trooper approached, James opened the car door and fired two shots, narrowly missing the trooper.

  • On Valentine's Day 2026, Robert G. Fuller Jr. was fatally shot in the head in his apartment at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living Facility.
  • In January 2026, the alarm sensor on a courtyard door at the senior living facility was disabled on a day when Marquis Emilio James was the only person seen using the door.
  • Days after Fuller's death, Marquis Emilio James was found inside the facility after his shift ended, gave a suspicious explanation to other workers, triggered another exterior door alarm, and fled when a supervisor was going to be notified.
  • On February 25, 2026, a Maryland State Police trooper pulled over Marquis Emilio James' car and as the trooper approached, James opened the car door and fired two shots, narrowly missing the trooper.

The players

Marquis Emilio James

A 22-year-old assisted living employee accused of disguising himself in long female wigs and executing an 87-year-old millionaire philanthropist he treated nightly, and is now also charged with shooting at a Maryland state trooper while on the run.

Robert G. Fuller Jr.

An 87-year-old millionaire philanthropist who was fatally shot in the head in his apartment at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living Facility.

Marc Yamada

The Montgomery County Police Chief.

Steve Decerbo

The Maryland State Police Lt. Col.

Bill Bridgeo

A Maine State Representative who met Fuller while working as city manager in Augusta and described him as a prominent attorney, retired Navy Reserve officer, and a major community philanthropist.

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What they’re saying

“Without a doubt, our Maryland State trooper escaped an outcome that could have ended much differently.”

— Steve Decerbo, Maryland State Police Lt. Col. (nypost.com)

“Upon speaking with him, he said their relationship was very good, and he would never have hurt Mr. Fuller. So we're hopeful that as we get further in … we're going to get a better sense of what was going on behind the scenes, what types of communications Marquis James had, [and] what he was searching on his electronic devices. We're hopeful that that's going to lead us to a better sense of why.”

— Marc Yamada, Montgomery County Police Chief (nypost.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Marquis Emilio James out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for improved security and employee vetting at senior care facilities, as well as the dangers posed by repeat offenders who are able to evade law enforcement. It also raises broader questions about public safety and the need for stronger gun control measures to prevent such violent incidents.