The DeKalb County Police are investigating after a tragic event left a 16-year-old boy dead at the Summit Hill Apartment Homes. Responding to a call just after 9:47 p.m., they discovered Andre Fortson with a fatal gunshot wound in a breezeway of the complex located on Bouldercrest Road. Medics declared him deceased at the scene, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
In a sorrowful intersection of incidents, the victim's family confirmed that Andre was the sibling of airman Roger Fortson, who was killed by a Florida deputy in May, as stated by FOX 5 Atlanta. Meanwhile, a detective pondered aloud at the scene of the shooting, "When are we going to learn enough is enough?" suggesting a wider exasperation with the cycle of violence, captured by WSB-TV.
Investigators worked through the night gathering evidence, talking to residents, and looking for surveillance footage. The family of the deceased teen declared him "innocent," and not involved in the precursor events that led to his death. The identity of Andre Fortson was also confirmed by the Medical Examiner, shedding official light onto the grim sentence brought down in the apartment's corridors.
As per the ongoing inquiry, detectives have singled out a suspect, who allegedly admitted to concealing a firearm inside his father's vehicle. The attempt by police to impound the vehicle escalated into a confrontation, with the suspect's father insisting, "They said four boys got out the car and started shooting. You aren’t taking my car. I need to talk to him," following his claiming of his son's innocence, as reported by WSB-TV. Amidst this turmoil, another DeKalb detective emphasized the role of the community's voice: "The community needs to say something. Nobody is talking."
The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been announced at this time.
