DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A teenager who was shot and killed in DeKalb County on Tuesday night has now been identified as the brother of an Atlanta airman who was killed by a Florida sheriff's deputy, according to the county's medical examiner's office and family.
According to police, officers responded to the 1400 block of Bouldercrest Road shortly before 9:50 p.m. When they arrived, they found Andre Fortson with a gunshot wound, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said he was found lying in the breezeway of one of the apartment buildings nearby. No other information about who was involved or if any arrests had been made was released by officers.
Family told 11Alive that Andre was about to celebrate his 17th birthday this coming Sunday. It was also confirmed that he was the brother of 23-year-old Senior Airman Roger Fortson.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who took Roger Fortson's case, said that the office is looking to find out more information and to get answers to what happened to Andre.
"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," Crump said in a statement. "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."
The latest in Roger Fortson's case happened in June when his family held a press conference in Atlanta. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined them to respond to Okaloosa County Deputy Eddie Duran's recent termination by Sheriff Eric Aden on June 1.
An internal investigation concluded Roger Fortson did not make hostile movements, making the shooting unreasonable.
Roger Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, called for charges against Duran, stating, "That's not justice for me."
Crump emphasized the need for full accountability and unredacted footage of the incident of that May 3 night when Senior Airman Roger Fortson was killed.
Teenager killed in DeKalb County shooting identified as brother of Atlanta airman killed by Florida deputy
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