The Fortson family is facing a second tragedy as Andre Fortson, the 16-year-old brother of U.S. Air Force airman Roger Fortson, was shot and killed in the Atlanta area. This comes just three months after Roger Fortson was fatally shot by a Florida sheriff’s deputy in May. Andre Fortson was found dead in an apartment complex, where two groups of people had been shooting at each other for unknown reasons, according to DeKalb County police.
A 20-year-old man was identified as one of the shooters and arrested on an aggravated assault charge in connection with Andre Fortson’s death. The Fortson family has been reeling from the loss of both Roger and Andre Fortson, with civil rights attorney Ben Crump expressing the devastating impact of losing two family members in such a short period of time. Crump has been representing the family since Roger Fortson was killed and has called for state prosecutors to file criminal charges against the deputy involved in Roger Fortson’s shooting.
Roger Fortson’s death in May occurred when he answered the door to his apartment while holding a handgun pointed toward the floor and was shot within seconds by Okaloosa County sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran. The sheriff’s office fired Duran, stating that his life was never in danger and his use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable. Crump emphasized the need for accountability and justice for the Fortson family, as they continue to mourn the loss of both Roger and Andre Fortson in tragic circumstances.
The Fortson family, originally from DeKalb County where Andre Fortson was killed, has been deeply affected by the two deaths. At a tearful news conference following Roger Fortson’s killing, family members wore red shirts with the words “WE ALL WE GOT” and a picture of Roger Fortson in his military uniform. Roger Fortson was stationed at the Air Force’s Hurlburt Field in the Florida Panhandle, and his funeral was attended by hundreds of Air Force members paying tribute to him in dress blues as he was laid to rest with military honors.
The shooting of Andre Fortson has added to the pain and grief experienced by the Fortson family, who are now mourning the loss of two young family members in separate incidents. The circumstances surrounding both tragedies have raised questions about accountability and the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump continues to advocate for justice for the Fortson family and has called for criminal charges to be filed in connection with both Roger and Andre Fortson’s deaths. The community and state prosecutors are urged to ensure that there are consequences for reckless actions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
