Current:Home > reviews16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy -Mastery Money Tools
16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy
View
Date:2025-04-19 18:34:42
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! (511)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Digging Deep to Understand Rural Opposition to Solar Power
- Cardi B Calls Out Estranged Husband Offset as He Accuses Her of Cheating While Pregnant
- Man charged with killing 13-year-old Detroit girl whose body remains missing
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Alex Jones' Infowars set to be auctioned off to help pay victims of Sandy Hook defamation case
- Caitlin Clark's spectacular run comes to a close. Now, she'll take time to reflect
- Egg prices again on the rise, with a dozen eggs over $3 in August: Is bird flu to blame?
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Tropical Weather Latest: Hurricane Helene is upgraded to Category 2 as it heads toward Florida
Ranking
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- CDC: Tenth death reported in listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head meats
- Browns QB Deshaun Watson won't ask for designed runs: 'I'm not a running back'
- Roy Clay Sr., a Silicon Valley pioneer who knocked down racial barriers, dies at 95
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- NYC Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Bribery
- Chiefs' Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes explain Travis Kelce’s slow start
- Military recruiting rebounds after several tough years, but challenges remain
Recommendation
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Hurricane Helene is unusual — but it’s not an example of the Fujiwhara Effect
Lady Gaga's Hair Transformation Will Break Your Poker Face
Alex Jones' Infowars set to be auctioned off to help pay victims of Sandy Hook defamation case
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Artem Chigvintsev breaks silence on his arrest after prosecutors decide not to charge him
Appeals court sends back part of Dakota Access oil pipeline protester’s excessive force lawsuit
Activists Disrupt Occidental Petroleum CEO’s Interview at New York Times Climate Event