Current:Home > Stocks16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy -Wealth Navigators Hub
16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy
View
Date:2025-04-15 08:39:09
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! (93)
Related
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- NWSL playoff preview: Strengths, weaknesses, and X-factors for all eight teams
- Building muscle requires a higher protein intake. But eating too much protein isn't safe.
- Liam Payne’s Friend Says He “Never Abandoned” Him After 3 People Are Charged in Connection to Case
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Flooding closes interstate as heavy rains soak southeast Georgia
- Police search for missing mother who vanished in Wylie, Texas without phone or car
- Mother fatally shot when moving daughter out of Iowa home; daughter's ex-boyfriend arrested
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Brianna Chickenfry LaPaglia Speaks Out After Detailing Zach Bryan’s Alleged Emotional Abuse
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- A Fed rate cut may be coming, but it may be too small for Americans to notice
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument in New Mexico is set to reopen
- Flooding closes interstate as heavy rains soak southeast Georgia
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- This Southern Charm Star Just Announced Their Shocking Exit Ahead of Season 10
- Texas Democrats’ longtime chairman steps down after big losses continue for the party
- Judge strikes down Biden administration program shielding immigrant spouses from deportation
Recommendation
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
Beyoncé Makes History With 2025 Grammy Nominations
The story of how Trump went from diminished ex-president to a victor once again
Ranked voting will determine the winner of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Fighting misinformation: How to keep from falling for fake news videos
Zac Taylor on why Bengals went for two-point conversion vs. Ravens: 'Came here to win'
Kirk Herbstreit announces death of beloved golden retriever Ben: 'We had to let him go'