The tragic death of Roger Fortson at the hands of a deputy from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has left his friends and family devastated. Aaron Rozier, who met Fortson in the Air Force and became close friends with him, remembers Fortson as a charismatic and wise individual who was always there for his friends. Charles Johnson, another friend who met Fortson through Rozier, described him as fun-loving and the life of the party. They all communicated daily in a group chat and spent time playing video games and talking about various topics, including race relations in Florida.
The body camera video released by the sheriff’s office showed Fortson being shot by a deputy as soon as he opened his apartment door, with a legally owned handgun in his hand. The deputy had not given any verbal commands before firing multiple shots. The family and friends of Fortson believe that his killing was unjustified and racially motivated, as they feel that the deputy only saw the color of Fortson’s skin and the firearm he was holding. They believe that proper warning and communication could have prevented the tragedy, and question the training and response of the deputy involved.
Fortson had plans to be medically discharged due to an injury he sustained while serving abroad. He had aspirations to enroll in nursing school and settle down in Houston. Despite being aware of the complexities of interactions with law enforcement, Fortson still met a tragic end in his own home. The family’s attorneys have raised questions about the deputy’s training, response, and the lack of verbal commands given before the shooting. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Rozier, who has undergone rigorous training on the use of lethal force, expects the deputy to be held to the same standards. He believes that there were preconditions that should have been met before the deputy resorted to using deadly force. The family of Fortson, along with their attorneys, have called for a thorough investigation into the shooting and for answers to the troubling questions raised by the body camera video. They seek justice for Fortson and want the deputy to be held accountable for his actions.
The loss of Fortson has deeply impacted his friends and family, who remember him as a loving and caring individual. They have organized a vigil in his memory and continue to seek justice for his untimely death. Through their grief, they hope to shed light on issues of racial bias and use of force in law enforcement, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in such cases. Fortson’s memory lives on through the love and support of those who knew and cherished him.
