The 16-year-old brother of US Airman Roger Fortson was recently killed in a Georgia shooting on Wednesday (July 31). USA Today reports just months after local police gunned down the senior airman, his brother, Andre Fortson, was found slain at an apartment complex.
RELATED: Family Seeks Answers After Florida Sheriff Deputies Burst Into Wrong Apartment & Fatally Shoot Senior Airman Roger Fortson
The Brother Of Airman Roger Fortson Murderd Months After His Death
A shooting allegedly occurred at the Summit Hill Apartment in Dekalb County, fatally injuring the victim. Officers were called around 10:00 pm, and Andre’s body was found in a breezeway. There was an alleged shootout between “two groups,” the local police reports.
Investigators currently have no idea what sparked the exchange of gunfire. Community members stated they heard shots and cars fleeing from the scene.
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A neighbor of Andre Fortson’s, who identified herself as Jaqueia, stated that she attempted to do CPR “but couldn’t save him.” She said Andre was a “really good boy” who was “never disrespectful.” Additionally, she said that she never saw him in arguments or fights.
Police suspect 20-year-old Quintavious Zellner was the shooter and subsequently arrested and charged him with aggravated assault.
The Fortson Family Releases A Statement
Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing the family, verified the passing of Roger’s brother and released a statement on their behalf.
It stated that it “has been an incredibly challenging time for them with the loss of Roger” and“battling the loss of yet another young member of their family — a mere child — has been an absolute devastation.” The family asked for “privacy and space during this impossible time.”
This has been a tragic summer for the Fortson family. As previously reported by The Shade Room, his brother Roger was buried in May after Deputy Eddie Duran from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office killed him as he stood in the doorway of his residence. Roger’s firearm was pointing to the ground when he answered the door. Still, Duran shot him before requesting that he put his gun away.
The officer had arrived at the wrong Fort Walton Beach apartment after he received a call about a disturbance. The incident was caught on Duran’s body camera footage.
Additionally, a female friend who was on the phone with Roger during the tragedy released her FaceTime video of the aftermath.
After an investigation, it was found that the deputy’s use of force wasn’t “reasonable and therefore violated agency policy.” The agency later fired Duran, per Fox 5 Atlanta.
