Two Pennsylvania men have been apprehended in connection with a fatal home invasion that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man and left his 61-year-old mother paralyzed. The suspects, Kelvin Roberts, 42, and Charles Fulforth, 41, are believed to be involved in gun trafficking and are accused of targeting the wrong residence after receiving information about a cache of weapons from a junk removal worker.
Both Roberts and Fulforth are reportedly employed by a junk removal company, Junkluggers, based in Willow Grove. They were informed about a house in the vicinity where an elderly couple resided with a large collection of firearms, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The charges against Roberts were filed this week, following charges against Fulforth on December 12.
The duo is facing charges of first-degree murder, robbery, burglary, and other offenses related to the home invasion and shooting of Bernadette Gaudio and the death of her son, Andrew Gaudio. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele stated at a press conference that the suspects’ intention was to steal firearms, but they mistakenly targeted the wrong house.
Steele described the tragic incident, stating that the suspects entered the wrong house with malicious intent, shooting an innocent 61-year-old woman in her bed and executing her 25-year-old son. The home invasion occurred on December 8 at the Gaudios’ residence in Lower Merion Township. Fulforth, who is Roberts’ superior, is alleged to have participated in the attack after being informed about the weapons cache by a fellow Junkluggers employee.
On December 14, detectives examined Junkluggers’ business records and discovered an estimate for a junk removal job done in Bucks County. The estimate included several photos of a large gun safe. Phone records between Roberts and Fulforth revealed discussions about a house with a large collection of firearms.
The suspects are believed to have mistakenly targeted the wrong house. The actual homeowners confirmed to the police that they had recently used Junkluggers’ services and owned numerous firearms. Cellphone records obtained through search warrants revealed that Fulforth had informed Roberts about the house and its elderly residents with a large collection of firearms.
Investigators found that the suspects had entered the Gaudios’ address into Apple Maps while searching for the intended residence, despite the actual target being in a different county. After the shooting, Fulforth allegedly took photos inside the house, including one of Andrew Gaudio lying face down on the floor.
Traffic cameras and surveillance videos linked the two men to the crime, capturing their cars and license plates. One of the suspects was allegedly caught on video driving Bernadette Gaudio’s Jeep Cherokee. Roberts was later seen on camera in the area talking to someone driving the Jeep shortly after the home invasion.
Upon arresting Fulforth, authorities found two bags of tools, gun parts, ammunition, a loaded 9 mm ghost gun with a Taurus slide, two sets of silencers, a black balaclava mask, a 3D printer used to manufacture ghost guns, and the key to Bernadette Gaudio’s Jeep at his residence.
The Gaudios’ family has set up a GoFundMe page for Bernadette as she grapples with the loss of her son. The page describes Bernadette as a loving mother who lost her husband 15 years ago and is now dealing with the loss of her youngest son and potential paralysis.
Prosecutors have not yet determined who fired the shots that killed the Gaudios. Both Fulforth and Roberts are currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.