“They killed a good guy”: Lawyer for the family of an Air Force man killed by Okaloosa officers speaks out

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) – Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, along with the family of US Air Force aviator Roger Fortsonheld a press conference today about his death.

Fortson, 23, was killed while Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies were present called to the Chez Elan Apartments On the 3rd of May.

“We are here at this press conference primarily because we need to correct this narrative,” Crump said. “Roger Fortson was the best America had to offer. He was a patriot.”

According to Hurlburt Field, Fortson was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron and entered active duty on November 19, 2019.

Crump said there was no disturbance at Fortson’s apartment; They therefore believe that the officers came to the wrong apartment.

Fortson’s girlfriend was on FaceTime with him at the time of the shooting.

“She told how she heard a bang on the door, an aggressive bang, and she told how he said, ‘Who’s there?’ and he heard no answer,” Crump said. “She told how he went to the door to look through the peephole, but it was as if someone was covering the peephole so he couldn’t see through the peephole.”

Crump continued that the girlfriend heard Fortson repeatedly say, “Who’s there?” and got his gun to protect herself. The friend said she heard gunshots after he grabbed his gun.

According to Fortson’s mother, emergency medical services were never called, instead officers said her son had been “shot.”

The family will review OCSO body camera footage at noon Thursday.

The sheriff’s office will hold a news conference Thursday at 2 p.m.