One of two suspects has been apprehended in connection with a home invasion in Pennsylvania earlier this month that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man and the paralysis of his mother, who was shot multiple times. Charles Fulforth, 41, from Jenkintown, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, and other related offenses related to the tragic home invasion that took place on December 8 in Lower Merion Township, as announced by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday. The other suspect, Kelvin Roberts, 42, from Philadelphia, is currently being pursued by law enforcement, with a $5,000 reward offered for any information that leads to his apprehension.
Lower Merion Police were alerted to a home invasion shooting at around 2:20 a.m. on December 8. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered Andrew Gaudio, 25, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds, and his mother Bernadette Gaudio, 61, also with gunshot injuries but conscious. Bernadette, in her statement to detectives, recounted that a man entered her bedroom while she was asleep and shot her. Her son, Andrew, attempted to help her and was tragically shot and killed in front of her. Despite her injuries, Bernadette managed to use Siri, the iPhone’s virtual assistant, to call for help. She was taken to a hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. The shooting left her paralyzed, but she is showing signs of recovery and slight movement.
The motive behind the attack on the Gaudio home remains unclear, but authorities have identified a stolen jewelry box found in one of the suspect’s residences. District Attorney Kevin R. Steele commended Bernadette’s bravery in using Siri to contact emergency services, noting that the suspects were likely still in the house at the time of the call.
The investigation into the suspects was aided by dashcam footage from a Lower Merion Township police vehicle, which captured a white Hyundai Azera leaving the scene. Detectives traced the vehicle to a resident in Philadelphia and subsequently identified Kelvin Roberts as the driver. Further evidence from phone records and surveillance footage linked Roberts and his accomplice, Charles Fulforth, to the crime scene on the night of the incident. Fulforth, who claimed to be Roberts’ boss, was also captured on camera exiting the victim’s car and entering a residence with Roberts.
Fulforth was arrested and charged, while Roberts remains at large. Authorities are actively seeking his apprehension in connection with the deadly home invasion.
In a shocking turn of events, a home invasion and tragic homicide unfolded in the early hours, leading to a gripping tale of mystery and apprehension. According to reports, the harrowing incident played out until 2:45 a.m., before both phones involved began a journey back to Sansom Street, as revealed in a recent news release.
During the aftermath of the home invasion and homicide, it was disclosed that both phones were in communication with each other. Notably, Fulforth’s phone was solely in contact with Roberts during this critical period, as confirmed by the prosecution. Subsequently, on December 11, a second-degree murder arrest warrant was issued for Fulforth, culminating in his apprehension on a Thursday morning. The question of legal representation for Fulforth remains unanswered at this juncture.
The identity of the perpetrator responsible for the fatal shooting of Gaudio remains shrouded in uncertainty, as investigators grapple with piecing together the intricate details of the crime. District Attorney Steele hinted at the possibility that both individuals might have played a role in the heinous act, as per NBC Philadelphia’s coverage. With this unsettling revelation looming large, authorities caution the public regarding the potential danger posed by Roberts, advising against approaching him and urging immediate contact with emergency services through 911.
As the community grapples with the repercussions of this distressing sequence of events, the need for swift and meticulous investigative efforts cannot be overstated. The narrative of the home invasion and subsequent murder serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the imperative of upholding justice in the face of adversity. Stay tuned for further developments as law enforcement strives to unravel the truth behind this tragedy, shedding light on the shadows of uncertainty that currently envelop this case.
