Current:Home > Invest16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy -EquityZone
16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy
View
Date:2025-04-14 17:01:05
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 [email protected].
veryGood! (88515)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- The 'girl dinner,' 'I'm just a girl' memes were fun, but has their moment passed?
- Why T.J. Holmes Credits Amy Robach’s Daughter for Their Latest Milestone
- Harris and Biden are fanning out across the Southeast as devastation from Helene grows
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Shock of deadly floods is a reminder of Appalachia’s risk from violent storms in a warming climate
- Mega Millions winning numbers for October 1 drawing: Jackpot at $93 million
- She lost her job after talking with state auditors. She just won $8.7 million in whistleblower case
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- No one expects a judge’s rollback of Georgia’s abortion ban to be the last word
Ranking
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Online voting in Alaska’s Fat Bear Week contest starts after an attack killed 1 contestant
- Sabrina Carpenter Shares Her Family's Reaction to Her NSFW Performances
- Are LGBTQ Jews welcome in Orthodox communities? This is how they are building spaces of their own
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Jury at officers’ trial in fatal beating of Tyre Nichols hears instructions ahead of closings
- Andrew Garfield Reveals He's Never Used His Real Voice for a Movie Until Now
- Rapper YG arrested on suspicion of DUI, plans to contest allegations
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Biden estimates recovery could cost billions ahead of visit to Helene-raved Carolinas
Bankruptcy judge issues new ruling in case of Colorado football player Shilo Sanders
Kyle Richards Swears These Shoes Are So Comfortable, It Feels Like She’s Barefoot
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
John Amos’ Daughter Shannon Shares She Learned Dad Died 45 Days Later Amid Family Feud
What time is the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse? How to watch Wednesday's annular eclipse
Man charged in California courthouse explosion also accused of 3 arson fires