Current:Home > Scams16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy-LoTradeCoin
16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy
View Date:2025-01-11 10:36:20
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! (5974)
Related
- 'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
- Prince William, billionaires Gates and Bloomberg say innovation provides climate hope
- Thousands of mink let loose from fur farm in Pennsylvania
- Why Isn't Heidi Montag a Real Housewife? Andy Cohen Says...
- Fire crews on both US coasts battle wildfires, 1 dead; Veterans Day ceremony postponed
- North Carolina House approves election board takeover ahead of 2024
- Hawaii governor calls on people to visit West Maui when it reopens in October: Helping our people heal
- Former Colorado officer who put handcuffed woman in car hit by train avoids jail time
- Horoscopes Today, November 11, 2024
- The Metallic Trend Is the Neutral We're Loving for Fall: See How to Style It
Ranking
- Birth control and abortion pill requests have surged since Trump won the election
- A Batman researcher said ‘gay’ in a talk to schoolkids. When asked to censor himself, he quit
- Israel’s Netanyahu to meet with Biden in New York. The location is seen as a sign of US displeasure
- Nick Chubb injury: Latest updates on Browns star, who will miss rest of NFL season
- Today's Craig Melvin Replacing Hoda Kotb: Everything to Know About the Beloved Anchor
- Hawaii governor calls on people to visit West Maui when it reopens in October: Helping our people heal
- 3 fake electors want Georgia election subversion charges against them to be moved to federal court
- Prisoner accused of murdering 22 elderly women in Texas killed by cellmate
Recommendation
-
Man gets a life sentence in the shotgun death of a New Mexico police officer
-
Iran prisoner swap deal, Ukraine scandal, Indiana AG sues, Hunter Biden: 5 Things podcast
-
Arguments to free FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried get rough reception from federal appeals panel
-
British police officer is charged with murder of unarmed Black man in London
-
Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Steps Out Ringless Amid Split Speculation
-
Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after his 30-year rape sentence
-
Indiana US Senate candidate files suit challenging law that may keep him off the ballot
-
Arizona county elections leader who promoted voter fraud conspiracies resigns