Disturbing bodycam footage reveals deputy shooting armed airman without warning in Florida apartment mix-up
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
MIAMI, FLORIDA: Florida authorities released disturbing police bodycam footage on Thursday, May 9th, unveiling the fatal shooting of US Airman Roger Fortson, who was armed, by an Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy inside Fortson's apartment.
The tragic incident occurred on May 3 at the Chez Elan Apartments in Fort Walton Beach during a response to a domestic violence call.
Deputy fires fatal shots at Roger Fortson without warning
The family of Fortson, the 23-year-old victim, alleges that the deputy entered the wrong apartment, leading the airman to arm himself with his legal handgun in response to suspicious knocks at his door.
Upon entering, the deputy immediately fired six shots at Fortson, fatally striking him and causing him to collapse. The footage captures the deputy yelling, “Drop the gun! Drop the gun!” after the shots were fired, to which Fortson, mortally wounded, responded, “It’s over there! I don’t have it!” The clip ends as backup is called by the officer.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, speaking at a press conference alongside Fortson’s grieving family, emphasized that the airman was unaware that it was law enforcement outside his door.
“For whatever reason, they thought he was a bad guy, but he was a good guy,” Crump said. “He was a great guy. He was an exceptional guy. They took a patriot from us.”
Mother of slain airman describes heartbreak over son's death
Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, expressed her devastation, revealing that her son was speaking to his girlfriend on FaceTime when the deputy entered and fatally shot him. “My baby was shot up,” she mourned.
She lamented the loss of her child and criticized the ongoing investigation into the incident. “You guys have killed my baby,” Chantemekki stated.
“Just take me to my baby, please. I just want to see my child. They had taken my gift. My heart is bleeding, and they wanted to talk to me. They told me the investigation was ongoing,” reported the New York Post.
Authorities cite self-defense in Roger Fortson's death
In response to Fortson’s death, the sheriff’s office cited self-defense in encountering an armed individual during a domestic violence call.
The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, with authorities yet to identify the officer.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the local State Attorney’s Office will conduct further inquiries into what civil rights attorney Crump has labeled an “unjustifiable killing.”
“He was just in his apartment, minding his businesses,” Crump alleged. “They could have made sure they were at the right apartment. They had a duty to make sure they were at the right apartment before they busted in the door."
"Any law-abiding citizens who feel they have a right to the Fourth Amendment and the Second Amendment, they should be troubled by this,” Crump remarked, referencing the amendments that safeguard Americans against unlawful searches and seizures and uphold the right to bear arms.
