Hundreds of Air Force members gathered at a suburban Atlanta megachurch to pay their respects to Senior Airman Roger Fortson, who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in Florida. Fortson, a 23-year-old Black airman, was shot six times while at his apartment complex in response to a possible domestic violence call. Mourners lined up to view his body in his Air Force uniform with an American flag draped over his coffin, highlighting his service and sacrifice.
During the service, Col. Patrick Dierig praised Fortson’s greatness, stating that he was already great before joining the Air Force. The Rev. Jamal Bryant referenced civil rights icon Medgar Evers and called for justice in Fortson’s killing, referring to it as murder. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump also spoke, emphasizing Fortson’s patriotism and the need for accountability in his death. Rev. Al Sharpton echoed these sentiments in a recorded video played at the service, calling for the country to stand up and fight for Fortson.
Fortson’s mother vowed to seek justice for her son, who had served in overseas combat zones. She criticized the sheriff’s response, stating that her son was unjustly killed while holding a handgun pointed toward the floor. The deputy involved in the shooting has not been identified, and details of the incident have yet to be released to the public. The case has raised concerns about the use of force by law enforcement and the treatment of Black individuals in their homes.
The shooting of Fortson is part of a larger pattern of Black individuals being shot in their homes by law enforcement officers. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident, and the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave. The lack of transparency and accountability in Fortson’s case has sparked outrage and calls for justice from his family, community members, and civil rights advocates. The search for answers and accountability continues as the investigation unfolds.
