Victim was shot execution-style as he rushed to protect his wounded mother during botched burglary attempt
Two men will spend the rest of their lives in state prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in connection with a botched home invasion in Lower Merion Township that left one man dead and his mother paralyzed.
A Montgomery County jury on Thursday found Charles Edward Fulforth, 41, of the 1600 block of The Fairway in Abington Township, and Kelvin Roberts Jr., 42, of the 7200 block of North 21st Street in Philadelphia, guilty of fatally shooting Andrew Gaudio, 25, during a burglary on Dec. 8, 2024.
The shooting occurred inside the Gaudio family’s home on the unit block of Meredith Road in the Wynnewood section of Lower Merion.
The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for nearly four hours before returning guilty verdicts on charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder, burglary, robbery, and conspiracy to commit burglary and robbery, according to The Mercury.
Both men were convicted of shooting Bernadette Gaudio, Andrew’s mother, as she slept in her bed. She was left paralyzed after being struck in the neck.
Judge Risa Vetri Ferman, who presided over the trial, deferred sentencing to allow time for the completion of pre-sentence investigation reports. First-degree murder convictions in Pennsylvania carry mandatory life sentences without parole.
Bernadette Gaudio with her sons, Andrew, on right, and Robert, on left. (Photo courtesy GoFundMe)Victim shot while trying to help his mother
Prosecutors said Fulforth and Roberts mistakenly targeted the Gaudio home based on information from a third co-defendant, Jeremy Fuentes, who is accused of providing details about a different residence he had visited days earlier as part of a moving estimate with the trio’s shared employer, Junkluggers. The suspects allegedly believed they were targeting a home containing firearms to steal as part of a gun trafficking operation.
Instead, they entered the wrong address just after 2 a.m., waking the Gaudios. Bernadette Gaudio was shot first, then used Siri to call 911. As her son Andrew rushed to help her, he was shot five times, including once in the back of the head.
“He ran down the hallway into danger to try to help his mother, armed only with his bravery and the love for his mother in his heart,” said First Assistant District Attorney Edward F. McCann Jr. during closing arguments, according to The Mercury.
Dr. Ian Hood, a forensic pathologist, testified that Andrew Gaudio’s fatal wound was consistent with an execution-style killing, delivered as the victim lay face-down on the bedroom floor.
Mother survives to testify
Despite her injuries, Bernadette Gaudio testified at trial, recalling the moments when her son was killed while trying to protect her. She was visibly emotional in the courtroom as the verdict was read Thursday. Her surviving son, Robert Gaudio, sat beside her, wiping tears from her face.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Robert Gaudio thanked prosecutors and detectives for their work, calling the trial outcome “a form of justice” for his brother.
“My mother, whose bravery and composure saved her own life and undoubtedly countless others, has been fighting every day to regain little bits of her independence,” Robert Gaudio said.
Prosecution and defense reactions
Prosecutors Edward McCann and Brianna Ringwood said the verdict represented justice for the Gaudio family.
“I’ve been doing this a very long time and this is one of the most terrible, awful murders I have ever prosecuted,” McCann said after court in the article. “I’m just very satisfied with the verdict and grateful to the jury.”
Ringwood praised the Gaudios’ resilience and the outpouring of support shown by their community.
Defense attorney Brooks Thompson, who represented Fulforth, declined to comment following the verdict. Attorney Francis Genovese, who represented Roberts, said his client was disappointed.
“Since I first started to represent him, he has indicated to me sorrow for what happened to Mrs. Gaudio and her son,” Genovese said. “I think he will express that at the appropriate time when it comes time for sentencing.”
Charles Fulforth, 41, of Jenkintown (Image courtesy of the Montgomery County DA)
Kelvin Roberts, 42 (Image courtesy of the Montgomery County DA)Investigation revealed motive and planning
According to investigators, the three defendants had worked together at Junkluggers in Upper Moreland Township. Fuentes allegedly visited a Bucks County home on Dec. 6, 2024, and observed a gun safe and related items. Believing the elderly homeowners would be vulnerable targets, Fuentes allegedly shared the address and details with Fulforth and Roberts.
Authorities said Fulforth and Roberts went to the wrong address on Meredith Road, where they committed the fatal shooting. Surveillance footage, Ring camera evidence, and a recovered stolen Jeep Cherokee linked the suspects to a residence on Sansom Street in West Philadelphia. A jewelry box belonging to Bernadette Gaudio was recovered at the residence, police said.
Prosecutors said the group was involved in trafficking stolen firearms, ghost guns, and 3D-printed conversion devices. Though the crime involved multiple aggravating factors, including the killing of a witness and shooting of a sleeping victim, prosecutors chose not to pursue the death penalty. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said the decision reflected mitigating evidence and the Gaudio family’s wishes.
Fuentes, 26, of the 7200 block of North 18th Street in Philadelphia, faces charges of second-degree murder and conspiracy. He is scheduled to stand trial in September.
Fuentes’ involvement in the home invasion is central to the prosecution’s case. Though he did not physically participate, Fuentes’ alleged role as the one who provided critical information has made him an accomplice under the law, authorities said.
The investigation was a team effort between Steele, and Lower Merion, Upper Moreland and Abington Township police departments.
The homicide investigation by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and Lower Merion Township Police found that information allegedly provided by Fuentes to Fulforth was the impetus behind Fulforth and Roberts allegedly entering the Lower Merion home to burglarize and rob it of firearms.
Jeremy Fuentes, 26, of Philadelphia. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney)Following the estimate, Fuentes allegedly called Fulforth and shared with him the information regarding the multiple firearms and related items in the home. He also allegedly told Fulforth that the homeowners were elderly.
Authorities said the home-invasion homicide occurred in the unit block of Meredith Road, in the Wynnewood section of Lower Merion Township at about 2:20 a.m.
According to county dispatch, a call for a shooting was reported at 2:22 a.m. in the area with a female calling to say she was shot.
In the wake of the shooting, police were seeking a silver or white 4-door sedan with handicapped Pennsylvania license plates, “24963” displayed at the rear of the car, police said.
Police were also searching a 2004 green Jeep Cherokee, with Pennsylvania Registration license plate number: LFS6673, which was stolen during the home-invasion and later recovered in West Philadelphia.
That vehicle led them to a home on Sansom Street and a search warrant was executed on the home. Authorities said the car had a stolen tag that was registered to a deceased individual.
One of the items found in the Sansom Street residence was a jewelry box, which was identified by Bernadette as hers, investigators said.
Ring cameras and other home security cameras in the area aided in the investigation, especially footage showing people bringing items into the Sansom Street home.
Roberts has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2003, including numerous felony drug dealing and illegal weapons possession convictions, per court records.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
