A US soldier was shot by Florida police and identified by the Air Force

TARA COPP and FREIDA FRISARO, Associated Press

13 minutes ago

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force said a 23-year-old airman with the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, was shot Friday in an incident with a sheriff’s deputy.

Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, died at his off-base residence, the U.S. Air Force said in a statement released Monday.

An officer responding to the call of a disturbance in progress “responded in self-defense after encountering a 23-year-old male armed with a weapon,” the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Friday.

Fortson was taken to the hospital, where he died, officials said.

Fortson was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron. In a statement, the Air Force’s 1st Special Operations Squadron said its priorities were “providing casualty services to the family, supporting the squadron during this tragic time and ensuring resources are available to all affected.”

The sheriff’s office said the deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident.

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Frisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale.