Lawyer and family of Roger Fortson, the airman killed by an Okaloosa sheriff’s deputy, speak out

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – A top attorney and the family of an active-duty Airman who was fatally shot are speaking out.

Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump was retained by the family of Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old active duty Senior Airman who was fatally shot by an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy on Friday, May 4.

According to the Associated Press, Fortson was stationed at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field. A statement released by the U.S. Air Force said he died at his off-base residence.

Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputies claim they acted in self-defense and that Fortson was armed. Attorney Ben Crump says the officers entered the wrong apartment.

At Thursday’s news conference, Fortson’s family said they wanted to uncover the truth and clear his name.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff has scheduled a press conference for Thursday afternoon where body camera footage will be released.

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