Air Force airman Roger Fortson, 23, was fatally shot in his Okaloosa County, Florida apartment after a deputy entered the wrong home in response to a call about a disturbance. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump stated that Fortson was alone at the time of the incident and there was no disturbance. Fortson heard a knock at the door, retrieved his legally-owned gun out of concern, and was shot six times when police burst through the door.
The woman who was on a FaceTime call with Fortson at the time of the shooting witnessed the events and stated that police were in the wrong apartment. She saw Fortson on the ground, struggling to breathe after being shot. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting at the request of the sheriff’s department, and the state attorney’s office is conducting an independent review. Sheriff Eric Aden expressed sadness over the tragic event and asked for patience as they work to understand the facts.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office initially stated that the deputy shot Fortson after encountering an armed man during a disturbance call. However, Crump’s account, according to the witness on the FaceTime call, contradicts the sheriff’s office’s version of events. The witness claimed that there was no disturbance in Fortson’s apartment, and he was alone at the time of the incident. She also stated that Fortson asked who was at the door, received no response, and could not see anyone through the peephole.
Fortson was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, where he entered active duty in November 2019. The base is providing support to his family, the squadron, and those impacted by the tragic event. The witness’s account of the events leading to Fortson’s death raises questions about the deputy’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The lack of response from the sheriff’s office regarding the claim that police were at the wrong apartment adds to the confusion surrounding the incident.
As the investigation into Fortson’s death continues, the community is urged to be patient while authorities work to uncover the facts of the case. The tragic shooting has left the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office saddened, and they are committed to understanding what led to the fatal event. The discrepancies between the accounts of the witness and the initial statement from the sheriff’s office highlight the need for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Fortson’s death. The airman’s death raises concerns about the use of force by law enforcement and the need for accountability in cases of officer-involved shootings.
