Lower Merion Township, PA — A deadly home invasion in Pennsylvania ended with a man killed and his mother critically injured, sparking a multi-agency investigation that led to one arrest and a frantic search for another suspect. Charles Fulforth, 41, of Jenkintown, was arrested on Dec. 12, charged with second-degree murder, robbery, and related offenses following the fatal attack on 25-year-old Andrew Gaudio and his 61-year-old mother, Bernadette Gaudio.
The violent break-in occurred early Sunday morning on Dec. 8. Authorities were called to the Gaudios’ Meredith Road residence around 2:20 a.m. after Bernadette Gaudio, despite suffering gunshot wounds and paralysis, managed to alert police using Siri. Upon arrival, officers discovered a grim scene: Andrew Gaudio was dead, and his mother was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
During a press briefing, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele detailed the heroism displayed by Bernadette Gaudio under dire circumstances. “It was a very brave move on her part because I think indications are that the individuals were still in the house at the time,” Steele remarked. Her condition has shown some improvement following emergency surgery, although she remains paralyzed.
According to investigators, two men forcefully entered the Gaudio home that night. One assailant proceeded upstairs and began shooting after awakening Bernadette Gaudio. Andrew Gaudio was fatally shot as he attempted to aid his mother, who recounted hearing her son’s dying breaths before being shot again.
The suspects fled the scene in two stolen vehicles, a white Hyundai Azera and a green Jeep Cherokee. Dashcam video from a Lower Merion Police patrol car captured the white Hyundai leaving the area, which eventually led detectives to a Philadelphia residence. There, a resident identified Kelvin Roberts, 42, from a photo as the man inside the Hyundai.
Further investigations revealed that both stolen vehicles, along with a jewelry box and a video game console taken from the home, were recovered near that location. U.S. Marshals arrested Fulforth at an apartment complex without incident. During the arrest, law enforcement seized firearms and a 3D printer potentially used for creating gun parts.
The motive behind the targeting of the Gaudios remains unclear. Roberts, who remains at large and is considered dangerous, had previous brushes with the law, including weapon and burglary offenses. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
As the community reels from the horror of the crime, Bernadette Gaudio’s long road to recovery is being supported by a GoFundMe page set up by her loved ones. District Attorney Steele emphasized the tragedy’s emotional toll, stating, “This was a horrible crime, and I find it very difficult not to think about what Bernadette is going through with her recovery and what happened in that bedroom and what she saw happen to her son.”
As the search for Roberts continues, the law enforcement community urges anyone with information to come forward to aid in bringing this grievous crime to a just conclusion.