Deputies fatally shot a Black Airman in Florida after he entered the wrong apartment

When responding to a disturbance complaint at his Florida complex, cops mistakenly entered the incorrect unit, killing a 23-year-old member of the U.S. Air Force.

When the tragedy occurred on May 3, Senior Airman Roger Fortson was in his Fort Walton Beach off-base apartment. It caused outrage and prompted requests for a comprehensive inquiry.

Fortson was on a Facetime call and not making any noise when he was shot, according to civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who was defending Fortson’s family. The woman who answered the phone claimed that when Fortson went to answer a knock at his door, no one was there. He was worried and reached for his lawfully held gun to defend himself. Shortly after, deputies stormed through the door and shot Fortson six times when they noticed he was carrying a gun.

According to Crump, the Facetime caller heard Fortson say, “I can’t breathe,” in his final moments. Later, Fortson passed away from his wounds in a hospital, and the offending deputy was put on administrative leave while the inquiry was still ongoing.

The whole information regarding the disturbance report that directed deputies to Fortson’s apartment building has not yet been released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. They said that when the responding deputies came across an armed person, they acted in self-defense. To shed light on the circumstances surrounding Fortson’s tragic death, Crump and the family are requesting the release of bodycam footage in an effort to promote transparency.

As an essential special mission’s aviator, Fortson flew AC-130J Ghostriders aircrews’ weapons during missions. He was stationed at Hurlburt Field with the 4th Special Operations Squadron.

Crump and the family of Fortson will speak to the public at a press conference with the intention of bringing attention to this horrible incident and pursuing justice.