The body camera video released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office shows a sheriff’s deputy shooting and killing U.S. airman Senior Airman Roger Fortson at his apartment in Florida. The video depicts the deputy knocking on Fortson’s door, asking him to step back, and then shooting him within seconds of the door opening. Fortson falls to the ground and is seen moving as the deputy asks him to drop his gun. Fortson denies having a gun and tells the deputy where it is located before the video ends. The deputy, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave, and the shooting is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney’s office.
At a news conference, Sheriff Eric Aden expressed reluctance in showing the video but felt it was necessary for the public to see it. He did not take questions during the conference, and the deputy involved in the shooting remains unidentified. Fortson’s family and attorney Ben Crump held a news conference where they revealed that Fortson’s girlfriend witnessed the shooting over FaceTime. According to Crump, Fortson heard knocking on his door, saw no one through the peephole, retrieved his gun, and was shot by the deputy upon entry into his apartment. Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, shared with reporters that her son’s girlfriend was traumatized by watching the aftermath of the shooting.
The sheriff’s office released a statement indicating the deputy was responding to a disturbance call, made contact with an armed individual, and acted in self-defense during the shooting. Sheriff Aden updated the statement, stating that the deputy encountered an armed man and shot him. The family of Fortson planned to view the body camera footage from the shooting to gain more information about the incident. Attorney Ben Crump called for the public release of the bodycam footage and for the sheriff’s office to correct any misleading information provided about the shooting. Crump emphasized the importance of preserving Fortson’s legacy and not allowing his name to be tarnished by inaccurate narratives.
The investigation into the shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson continues as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney’s office delve into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The family is seeking transparency and accountability from the sheriff’s office, urging for the public release of the bodycam footage and a correction of any inaccurate information disseminated about the shooting. The tragic event has left Fortson’s loved ones grieving and demanding answers as they seek justice for his death. As the community awaits further developments in the investigation, concerns about the use of force by law enforcement officers and the need for accountability in such cases are brought to the forefront of discussions on police conduct and engagement with civilians.
