16-year-old killed in DeKalb County related to airman killed by Florida deputy
Teen brother of airman killed also dies by shooting
While grieving the shooting death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson who was killed by a Florida sheriff's deputy a few months ago, the Fortson family has now lost his 16-year-old younger brother, Andre, to a shooting at an apartment complex on Bouldercrest Road.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - The teen killed at a DeKalb County apartment complex Tuesday night is the younger brother of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, who was shot and killed by a Florida sheriff’s deputy in May, their family says.
Officers were called out shortly after 9:47 p.m. to the Summit Hill Apartment Homes located in the 1500 block of Bouldercrest Road.
According to the DeKalb County Police Department, a 16-year-old boy, Andre Fortson, was found in the breezeway of one of the apartment buildings with an apparent gunshot wound.
Medics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Man arrested in deadly Bouldercrest Road shooting
Quintavious Zellner, 20, was arrested in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Andre Fortson in DeKalb County. Officials say Fortson's older brother, Sr. Airman Roger Fortson was shot and killed by a northwest Florida sheriff's deputy a few months earlier.
Investigators spent the evening combing over the scene for evidence, speaking to residents, and attempting to locate any surveillance video. Late Wednesday night, DeKalb County police announced the arrest of 20-year-old Quintavious Zellner.
Quintavious Zellner
The preliminary investigation revealed two groups were shooting at each other. Investigators say Zellner was one of the shooters. He was charged with aggravated assault and booked into the DeKalb County Jail.
More arrests are expected.
The motive behind the shooting is under investigation.
Fortson family mourning another loss
It was confirmed by the family late Wednesday morning, that the victim, Andre Fortson, was the brother of airman Roger Fortson.
"It doesn't seem real, and I just don't want to believe that it was him," said Kiaria Moore. Moore is in disbelief. She is not related to Andre but says her brother and him were best friends.
She describes Andre as bright and playful.
"My little brother, he's not taking it so good," she said. "He's very distraught."
His family told FOX 5 he was an innocent victim.
"They are always the innocent ones, always, every time something does happen over here, always be somebody innocent that gets shot," Moore said.
Family of Airman Roger Fortson in disbelief
Andre is the younger brother of Senior Airman Roger Fortson who was shot and killed by a Florida sheriff’s deputy in May.
Body camera video from that incident shows the moment now fired Okaloosa County Deputy Eddie Duran shot Roger multiple times seconds after he opened his door holding a legally owned gun pointing down. Investigators say Duran's use of force was not reasonable.
Nonetheless, the loss of Roger and Andre has been difficult for their mom, Meka Fortson.
"I know she's taking this very hard," Moore said. "They don't have anybody left but their little sister and Andre and his little sister were very close."
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The Medical Examiner has also confirmed the victim's identity.