Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, who was based at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, was at his home at Chez Elan Apartments, around five miles from the air base, when he was killed.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said in a statement that Fortson was on a Facetime call with a woman at the time of the encounter.
According to Crump, the woman, whom Crump didn't identify, said Fortson was alone in his apartment when he heard a knock at the door. He asked who was there but didn't get a response. A few minutes later, there was a very aggressive knock on the door, Crump said in a statement, but Fortson didn't see anyone when he looked out the peephole.
The woman said Fortson was concerned and went to retrieve his gun, which Crump said was legally owned.
As Fortson strolled through his living room, law enforcement officers burst through the door, encountering Fortson armed and firing six shots, as per Crump's account. Fortson, lying on the ground, uttered, "I can't breathe," after being shot, according to Crump.
Fortson passed away at a medical facility, authorities confirmed. The deputy who was part of the shooting has been put on administrative leave while an investigation is carried out.
The woman clarified that Fortson was not causing any disturbance during their Facetime call and suspects that the deputies mistakenly entered the wrong apartment, as stated by Crump.
"The circumstances surrounding Roger's demise raise serious concerns that demand immediate responses from the authorities, particularly considering the troubling witness statement that the police entered the incorrect apartment," Crump expressed in the statement.
"We are urging for transparency in the investigation into Roger's passing and the swift release of body camera footage to the family," stated Crump. "His family and the community have the right to know what transpired in the moments leading up to this tragic event."
Crump, a well-known attorney based in Tallahassee, Florida, has been involved in various high-profile cases of law enforcement shootings concerning Black individuals, such as Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, Tyre Nichols, and George Floyd.
Crump and Fortson's family are scheduled to address the media at a press conference in Fort Walton Beach on Thursday morning.
Authorities from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office reported last week that a deputy, in response to a disturbance at an apartment complex, acted in self-defense when faced with an armed individual. The specifics of the disturbance or the identity of the caller were not disclosed by the office.
It was announced earlier this week that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the local State Attorney's Office will be handling the investigation into the incident.
Gretl Plessinger, a spokesperson for FDLE, mentioned to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the agency is unlikely to provide further information until the investigation concludes.
Sheriff Eric Aden of Okaloosa County expressed his sadness over the officer-involved shooting that occurred over the weekend, stating, "All of us at the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office are saddened about the fatal officer involved shooting over the weekend."
Sheriff Aden confirmed that the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave immediately, and the FDLE has been tasked with conducting the necessary investigation. An independent review will also be carried out by the State Attorney's Office.
"At this time, we humbly ask for our community's patience as we work to understand the facts that resulted in this tragic event," Aden stated.
The deputy, Fortson, was a member of the 4th Special Operations Squadron and served as a special missions aviator. One of his responsibilities as part of the AC-130J Ghostrider aircrew was loading the gunship's 30mm and 105mm cannons during missions.
Located in the heart of the Florida Panhandle, Fort Walton Beach is nestled between the popular tourist destinations of Panama City Beach and Pensacola. This charming coastal town offers pristine white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere that attracts visitors from near and far.
