A gruesome tragedy has struck a senior living facility in Maryland.
Police have launched an investigation into the shooting death of a millionaire philanthropist, who was found dead inside an apartment at Cogir Potomac Senior Living on February 14.
Per a news release from the Montgomery County Department of Police, at approximately 7:34 a.m., 1st District officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded to the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility in the 10800 block of Potomac Tennis Lane for a reported code.
Robert Fuller, Jr., 87, was found unresponsive inside an apartment within the senior living facility, and though life-saving measures were attempted, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
© Google Maps"After processing the scene, Homicide detectives confirmed that Fuller had been shot. His death is being investigated as a homicide and he was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy to determine cause and manner of death," the statement further indicated.
The police confirmed that at this time, no suspect information is available and no arrests have been made.
NBC4 Washington also added that a memo sent to residents by the executive director indicated that the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to residents or staff. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have strengthened our safety measures and brought in additional security presence to provide extra reassurance for our residents and families."
Who was Robert Fuller Jr.?
Mr. Fuller was originally from Maine, but spent much of his life in Augusta, per NBC4 Washington, working as city manager.
Fuller later became a prominent attorney, a retired Navy Reserve officer and self-published a book; he was also a descendant of Melville Fuller, the controversial eighth chief justice of the United States who established "Separate but Equal" and supported racial segregation and Jim Crow laws, per ABC 7 News.
© Getty ImagesHe moved to Maryland some years ago with his wife, who had family in the area, though she has since passed away.
Fuller became known for his philanthropy after donating $1.64 million to upgrade a high school's athletic field in Maine. Maine State Rep. Bill Bridgeo, who knew Fuller, told NBC4 Washington he contributed towards "a new YMCA , a new hospital in town, a big expansion to our high school."
"He said, 'I'll give you a token amount,' and the token amount ended up being far more than anybody else gave to us," he added.
