Current:Home > News16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy -InvestTomorrow
16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy
View
Date:2025-04-24 21:09:33
Months after U.S. Air Force senior airman Roger Fortson was gunned down by a Florida deputy, his 16-year-old brother was killed as a result of a shooting in Georgia.
Andre Fortson was fatally shot on Wednesday at Summit Hill Apartments in DeKalb County, which is just east of Atlanta. When officers got to the scene just before 10:00 p.m. local time, they discovered the victim in a breezeway with gunshot wounds, a DeKalb Police spokesperson told USA TODAY.
Police arrested a suspected shooter, identified as 20-year-old Quintavious Zellner. Jail records show that he was charged with aggravated assault.
In their initial investigation, detectives determined that "two groups of subjects were shooting at each other" for an unknown reason, according to police.
Community members told WSB-TV they overheard gunfire before cars skirted off the scene. An injured Andre was left behind as a neighbor tried to help him.
“I tried to save him, doing CPR because I couldn’t save him," a neighbor, identified only as Jaqueia, told the outlet, describing Andre as a "really good boy. He was never disrespectful, never saw him in any altercations, or anything like that."
Roger Fortson news:Body of US airman fatally shot by Florida deputy returned to Georgia ahead of funeral
Roger Fortson was killed by a deputy in May
The death of Andre comes as the family is grappling with the death of Fortson in early May. Eddie Duran, who was terminated from the Okaloosa County County Sheriff's Office, was identified as the deputy involved.
On May 3, Duran responded to a Fort Walton Beach apartment complex after receiving a call about an apparent disturbance.
Duran's body camera footage shows that he knocked on Fortson's apartment door three times and announced he was with the sheriff's office. Fortson opened the door while holding a gun in his right hand and pointed down. The deputy said, "step back," and then shot Fortson.
"I want justice for my child. You're not going to throw me a bone. Take his credentials. Take his pension," his mother, Chantemekki Fortson, said at a news conference.
During the investigation, the sheriff's office found that Duran's use of force "was not objectively reasonable and therefore violated agency policy."
Fortson's body was delivered to his family in Atlanta prior to his funeral.
Family attorney requests privacy for the family during this 'impossible time'
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump confirmed the passing of the family member in a statement on Wednesday.
"The Fortson family is battling the loss of yet another young member of their family. This has been an incredibly challenging time for them with the loss of Roger," the statement said. "Losing the life of yet another young family member – a mere child – has been an absolute devastation. We are asking the media and the public for privacy and space during this impossible time.”
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
veryGood! (758)
Related
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- San Francisco, Oakland Sue Oil Giants Over Climate Change
- Air Pollution Particles Showing Up in Human Placentas, Next to the Fetus
- Why anti-abortion groups are citing the ideas of a 19th-century 'vice reformer'
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- How Massachusetts v. EPA Forced the U.S. Government to Take On Climate Change
- Arnold Schwarzenegger’s New Role as Netflix Boss Revealed
- Eminem's Daughter Hailie Jade Announces Fashionable Career Venture
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- How a Contrarian Scientist Helped Trump’s EPA Defy Mainstream Science
Ranking
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Is a 1960 treaty between Pakistan and India killing the mighty Ravi River?
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $360 Tote Bag for Just $76
- A robot answers questions about health. Its creators just won a $2.25 million prize
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Abortion policies could make the Republican Party's 'suburban women problem' worse
- Biden says his own age doesn't register with him as he seeks second term
- Montana GOP doubles down after blocking trans lawmaker from speaking, citing decorum
Recommendation
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Australia Cuts Outlook for Great Barrier Reef to ‘Very Poor’ for First Time, Citing Climate Change
After failing to land Lionel Messi, Al Hilal makes record bid for Kylian Mbappe
MLB power rankings: Orioles in rare air, knocking Rays out of AL East lead for first time
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Best Memorial Day 2023 Home Deals: Furniture, Mattresses, Air Fryers, Vacuums, Televisions, and More
Another Pipeline Blocked for Failure to Consider Climate Emissions
Dorian One of Strongest, Longest-Lasting Hurricanes on Record in the Atlantic