The family of Roger Fortson, a Black Air Force senior airman who was shot and killed by a Florida sheriff’s deputy, held a news conference where their lawyer, Benjamin Crump, played audio from a police radio indicating the deputy went to the wrong apartment while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The family insists that the deputy’s actions were unjustified, as Fortson was home alone and on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend at the time of the incident. The deputy, led around the apartment complex by a woman, was unsure of which door to go to and eventually arrived at Fortson’s apartment, where the shooting occurred. Fortson was seen answering the door with a gun in his hand, which was pointed downward, before being shot by the deputy.
The radio audio played at the news conference was compiled to support the family’s assertion that the deputy had gone to the wrong apartment. The dispatcher had mentioned receiving information from a “fourth party” at the leasing office about the location of the disturbance. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, responsible for the investigation into the shooting, have not commented on the family’s claims. The family and their attorney believe that Fortson’s killing was unjustified and that the deputy used excessive force, resulting in Fortson being “executed” at his own apartment, where he had no history of domestic disturbance or criminal behavior.
Crump showed two clips from the body camera video, which depicted the deputy being led by a woman around the apartment complex. The woman was unable to clearly identify the correct apartment and eventually pointed the deputy towards Fortson’s residence. The deputy knocked on the door without identifying himself and eventually shot Fortson when he answered with a gun in his hand, despite it being pointed downward. Fortson legally owned the firearm, and the family argues that the deputy’s actions were unwarranted. Crump emphasized that the family is adamant about clearing Fortson’s name and reputation from any false accusations regarding his character or behavior.
The incident occurred on May 3 in Fort Walton Beach, where Fortson was fatally shot in his apartment doorway by the responding deputy. The family believes that the deputy’s failure to correctly identify the right apartment led to the tragic outcome of Fortson’s death. Despite the sheriff’s office maintaining that the deputy did not enter the wrong apartment, the family and their attorney are pushing for a thorough investigation into the events leading up to Fortson’s killing. The lack of incident reports and 911 records, as well as the unavailability of unedited audio recordings, has raised concerns about the transparency of the investigation.
The news conference, held at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, was attended by Fortson’s family members, including his parents, siblings, and relatives. The emotional gathering aimed to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Fortson’s death and to seek justice for his untimely passing. The family continues to seek answers and accountability for the actions of the deputy involved in the shooting. Crump reiterated the family’s stance that the deputy’s use of force was excessive and resulted in the unjust killing of Fortson, who was described as having no history of criminal behavior or domestic disturbance. As the investigation unfolds, the family remains resolved in their pursuit of justice and truth in the wake of their loss.
