Roger Fortson: Florida deputies fatally shoot US airman after raiding wrong apartment

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Deputies in Fort Walton Beach, responding to what they believed was a disturbance call, tragically entered the wrong apartment, resulting in the fatal shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, a member of the US Air Force's Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field.

According to a statement from civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Fortson's family, the incident occurred on May 3 while the airman was home alone.

Insights into Roger Fortson's tragic shooting

Fortson, who was on a Facetime call with a woman at the time, was confronted by deputies who burst into his apartment after he heard knocks at his door.

The woman, whose identity hasn't been disclosed, recounted that Fortson, alarmed by the unannounced intrusion, retrieved his legally owned firearm. As he returned to his living room, deputies, apparently mistaking him for a threat, opened fire, striking Fortson six times.

He was heard saying, "I can't breathe," after being shot, as per Crump's statement, reported New York Post. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Fortson succumbed to his injuries.

Demand for accountability and transparency in investigation

Fortson, a special missions aviator assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron, played a crucial role in loading the weaponry of the squadron’s AC-130J Ghostrider aircrew during missions.

The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. The woman present during the Facetime call asserted that Fortson was not causing a disturbance, leading to questions about why deputies entered the wrong apartment.

“The circumstances surrounding Roger’s death raise serious questions that demand immediate answers from authorities, especially considering the alarming witness statement that the police entered the wrong apartment,” Crump alleged.

“We are calling for transparency in the investigation into Roger’s death and the immediate release of body cam video to the family. His family and the public deserve to know what occurred in the moments leading up to this tragedy,” he added.

Pattern of law enforcement incidents involving Black individuals

Fortson's tragic death adds to a grim list of similar incidents involving law enforcement and Black individuals.

Crump, a nationally recognized attorney based in Tallahassee, Florida, known for his involvement in high-profile cases like Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, Tyre Nichols, and George Floyd, will represent Fortson's family at a forthcoming news conference in Fort Walton Beach.

Sheriff’s office claims deputies shot Fortson in self-defense

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for the mistaken raid, initially claimed that the deputy acted in self-defense after encountering an armed individual but provided scant details about the nature of the disturbance or the caller's identity.

The office, despite being pressed for clarification, has not disclosed the identities or races of the deputies involved.

An investigation into the shooting is underway by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the local State Attorney’s Office.