Fatal Cogir Senior Living Shooting Was 'Planned': Report

BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE, MD — The fatal Feb. 14 shooting at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility was planned for more than a month, according to Bethesda Today.

The new detail emerged Thursday during the bond hearing for Maurquise Emillo James, the 22-year-old resident of Baltimore County's White Marsh area who was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Court records show that James, who is facing one count of first-degree murder for the death of 87-year-old Robert Fuller Jr., was ordered held without bond by Judge Michael O. Glynn. A request for a psychiatric evaluation for James was granted.

Jodie Mount, an assistant state’s attorney for the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, said during the hearing that Fuller's death was a "pre-planned, cold-blooded killing" that took place when he was in bed.

While Mount also stated that investigators believe the killing had been planned for over a month, she did not offer any additional detail on the claim, Bethesda Today reported.

No motive for the shooting has yet been detailed by police.

James was taken into custody on Wednesday, just a few steps away from the District Court building in downtown Rockville after a brief foot chase.

Fuller, a native of Maine who moved to the Montgomery County area with his wife and remained after her death, died from a gunshot wound to the head. At the scene, police found a shell casing that later became tied to James.

The senior home's millionaire resident was widely known for his philanthropic work, having contributed funds for the construction of a recreational center, a hospital and a veteran women's shelter, among other initiatives.

Fuller served as a senior officer in the Naval Reserve and was a descendant of Supreme Court Chief Justice Melville Fuller, a key figure in the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson case, according to WGME.

How Did James Become A Person Of Interest?

Several factors came into place before James became a person of interest to investigators working the case.

The White Marsh man was an employee of the Cogir senior home and was initially flagged by a tipster who recognized James in surveillance footage released by the Montgomery County Police Department.

Through additional interviews, police determined that James worked as a medicine technician at the facility for the last few months, and that he came in contact with Fuller before the shooting when he last made his rounds.

Related:

• Cogir Employee Arrested In Fatal Shooting At Senior Living Facility
• New Video Captures Person Sought In Fatal Senior Facility Shooting

James' behavior had also sparked suspicion by fellow employees after he remained at the facility past the end of his shift. When questioned by a coworker, James explained that he was looking for his keys before abruptly leaving through a side door when he was pressed further.

Further investigation revealed that the side door used by James had an alarm sensor that had been noticeably tampered with. Police determined that James was the last person to have used the door before the sensor stopped working.

What Is The Connection To The Baltimore Trooper Shooting?

The Maryland State Police announced Tuesday that officials were on the hunt for a man who shot at a trooper during a traffic stop in Baltimore City.

That shooting took place when the trooper walked toward a 2009 Infiniti shortly before 3:30 a.m. that was being driven with no tags or headlights on. As the officer approached the car, the driver opened the door, fired two shots and left the scene. The trooper suffered only minor injuries.

Related:

• Trooper Shot During Traffic Stop In Baltimore
• Man Accused Of Shooting At MD State Trooper Arrested

Hours before the Montgomery County Police Department held a news conference, the Maryland State Police announced that an arrest had been made, identifying James and charging him with first-degree attempted murder, felony assault, and using a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges.

The connection between the shootings in Baltimore and the senior home was made after police confirmed that bullet casings from the two incidents matched.

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said Wednesday that James would be tried for the Cogir shooting first due to its severity. James will face the Baltimore County charges at a later date.

Read more at Bethesda Today.