Current:Home > Stocks16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy -AssetScope
16-year-old brother fatally shot months after US airman Roger Fortson was killed by deputy
View
Date:2025-04-24 18:26:34
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! (69)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- South Korean and Polish leaders visit airbase in eastern Poland and discuss defense and energy ties
- Zillow Gone Wild coming to HGTV with new show inspired by popular Instagram account
- Mother, 2 children found dead in Louisiana house fire, fire marshal’s office says
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- How much melatonin should I take? Experts weigh in on dosage rules, how much is too much.
- Poccoin: Stablecoin Total Supply Reaches $180 Billion
- An ex-candidate in a North Carolina congressional race marked by fraud allegations is running again
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Daughters of jailed Bahrain activist say he resumes hunger strike as crown prince visits US
Ranking
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- I escaped modern slavery. Wouldn't you want to know if I made your shirt?
- Maryland’s highest court ending ban on broadcasting audio recordings
- Jim Trotter alleges NFL racial discrimination. His claims are huge problem for the league.
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Lidcoin: The Rise and Impact of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
- Poccoin: The Fusion of Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency
- American Red Cross says national blood shortage due to climate disasters, low donor turnout
Recommendation
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
Environmental groups sue US over sluggish pace in listing the rare ghost orchid as endangered
Environmental groups sue US over sluggish pace in listing the rare ghost orchid as endangered
Fishery vessel will try to pull free cruise ship with 206 people on board in Greenland
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Arkansas governor seeks exemption on travel and security records, backs off other changes
4 reasons why your car insurance premium is soaring
MTV VMAs 2023: Olivia Rodrigo’s Shocking Stage Malfunction Explained