A tragic home invasion in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, has left a family shattered. A 25-year-old man was killed, and his 61-year-old mother was left paralyzed after being shot multiple times during the terrifying incident.
One suspect, 41-year-old Charles Fulforth from Jenkintown, has been arrested and faces charges of second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, and related offenses. However, authorities are still searching for another suspect, 42-year-old Kelvin Roberts from Philadelphia. There’s a $5,000 reward for information leading to Roberts’ arrest.
The nightmare began around 2:20 a.m. on December 8, when Lower Merion Police received a call about a shooting during a home invasion. When officers arrived, they found Andrew Gaudio, 25, dead from multiple gunshot wounds. His mother, Bernadette Gaudio, was also gravely injured but conscious.
According to investigators, Bernadette was asleep when a man entered her bedroom and shot her without warning. Her son, Andrew, rushed to help her but was tragically shot and killed right in front of her. Unable to move due to her injuries, Bernadette heroically used Siri, the voice-controlled assistant on her iPhone, to call for help. District Attorney Kevin R. Steele described her actions as incredibly brave, especially since it’s believed the intruders were still in the house at the time.
Bernadette was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. She is now paralyzed but has shown signs of slight movement, according to Steele. “What she’s been through is unimaginable,” he said.
As investigators piece together what happened, it remains unclear why the Gaudio home was targeted. However, a jewelry box stolen during the invasion was later found in one of the suspect’s homes.
Detectives worked tirelessly to identify the suspects. Dashcam footage from a responding police officer captured a white Hyundai Azera leaving the scene. The car had a license plate that didn’t match, but detectives traced the vehicle to an address on Sansom Street in Philadelphia. The footage also showed the victim’s green Jeep Cherokee being driven away, which was later found at the same location.
A resident on Sansom Street identified Kelvin Roberts as the driver of the white Hyundai. On December 9, police charged Roberts with second-degree murder, robbery, and other offenses. However, he remains on the run.
Detectives also learned that Roberts worked for a business called Junkluggers in Willow Grove and often interacted with his boss, Charles Fulforth. Surveillance footage from Sansom Street showed Fulforth and Roberts together, with Fulforth seen exiting the victim’s Jeep Cherokee and entering the residence with Roberts.
Investigators tracked both suspects’ cell phones and found that they were together near the crime scene during the time of the home invasion. Their phones were in constant communication with each other before and after the crime.
Fulforth was arrested on December 14 and now faces multiple charges. It’s still unclear who fired the fatal shots, but District Attorney Steele suggested that both men might be responsible.
The investigation continues as authorities work to bring Kelvin Roberts to justice. This devastating crime has left a family grieving and a community shaken, and investigators are determined to hold everyone involved accountable.
