Andre Fortson, Brother of Roger Fortson Killed by Gun Violence

The Fortson household is mourning the lack of two younger members, their lives tragically reduce brief by gun violence.

U.S. Air Pressure Senior Airman Roger Fortson was gunned down by a Florida deputy simply months earlier than his 16-year-old brother, Andre Fortson, was fatally shot in Georgia.

Officers say this newest tragedy unfolded at Summit Hill Flats in DeKalb County, simply east of Atlanta.

In keeping with USA At the moment, Andre was discovered with gunshot wounds in a breezeway on the condominium complicated shortly earlier than 10:00 p.m. Authorities swiftly arrested 20-year-old Quintavious Zellner, charging him with aggravated assault.

Preliminary investigations indicated that “two teams of topics had been taking pictures at one another” for causes nonetheless unknown. 

A neighbor named Jaqueia advised USA At the moment that she tried desperately to save lots of Andre, performing CPR and describing him as a “actually good boy” who was by no means disrespectful or concerned in any altercations.

“I attempted to save lots of him, doing CPR as a result of I couldn’t save him,” mentioned Jaqueia.

Name for Justice: Neighborhood and Household Reactions

This story continues to amplify the necessity for justice for Roger Fortson.

Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump, recognized for his relentless pursuit of justice in instances of police misconduct, is looking on Florida State Lawyer Ginger Bowden Madden to prosecute former sheriff’s deputy Eddie Duran, who fatally shot Roger Fortson on Could 3. 

Crump is emphasizing the urgency for the State Lawyer to behave now that the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement has accomplished its investigation.

“The actions of Deputy Duran weren’t simply negligent, they had been felony,” mentioned Crump.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Workplace disputes Crump’s claims, asserting that the deputy reacted in self-defense after encountering Fortson armed with a gun. Nonetheless, Crump and the Fortson household problem this narrative, highlighting discrepancies within the police response and the alleged misidentification of the condominium concerned within the disturbance name.

Chantemekki Fortson, the boys’ mom, is demanding justice for her son, Roger, calling for the revocation of the deputy’s credentials and pension.

“I would like justice for my little one. You’re not going to throw me a bone. Take his credentials. Take his pension,” mentioned Chantemekki.

Crump strengthened her sentiments.

“This has been an extremely difficult time for them with the lack of Roger. Dropping the lifetime of one more younger member of the family – a mere little one – has been an absolute devastation,” Crump mentioned, noting the household’s immense grief from the lack of each Roger and Andre.

Crump’s Advocacy

Bodycam footage confirmed Duran taking pictures Roger Fortson, who opened his door holding a legally owned gun pointed on the floor. Crump identified the intensive name historical past to a special condominium in the identical complicated, elevating questions in regards to the validity of Duran’s actions.

Sheriff’s information confirmed one other unit within the condominium complicated had repeated home calls and welfare checks, which Crump highlighted throughout a press convention.

MSN states that Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden refuted Crump’s claims, stating that the deputy didn’t enter the fallacious condominium. Nonetheless, the executive investigation concluded that Duran’s use of lethal drive was unreasonable and violated company coverage, resulting in his termination in June.

“We’ll by no means allow them to stain the fame of Roger Fortson, not right this moment, not tomorrow, not without end. We’ll bear in mind him because the true American patriot that he was,” mentioned Crump.

Duran, a former U.S. Military serviceman, was present on his response to resistance coaching and firearm {qualifications} on the time of the taking pictures. As BOSSIP beforehand reported, he was dismissed from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Workplace for utilizing unreasonable lethal drive within the taking pictures of Roger Fortson. 

In keeping with MSN, Crump emphasised the significance of holding legislation enforcement officers accountable to forestall future tragedies and rebuild belief inside communities.

“This tragic incident ought to by no means have occurred, and we should be certain that there are penalties for such reckless actions. Roger Fortson’s household deserves justice, and our group deserves accountability,” mentioned Crump.

Household Requires Justice in Wake of Devastating Loss

Because the Fortson household continues to navigate the unimaginable grief of dropping each Roger and Andre, their name for justice grows louder. Their story is a stark reminder of the pressing want for accountability and reform inside legislation enforcement to forestall such tragedies from recurring.