Ben Crump was hired by the family of a US airman who was killed by a sheriff’s deputy in Florida

The family of a 23-year-old US airman fatally shot by a Florida sheriff’s deputy has retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

Roger Fortson was shot and killed in his home Friday when an Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy responded to a disturbance call and “acted in self-defense after encountering a 23-year-old man armed with a gun.”

“We demand accountability for those responsible for his death,” Crump said in an email Newsweek. “And we stand in solidarity with Roger’s family and friends as they cope with this unimaginable loss.”

Crump is a nationally recognized litigator best known for leading legal teams for the families of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin and Breonna Taylor. He has also been involved in environmental justice cases, such as representing residents of Flint, Michigan.

How the fatal shooting involving police came about

According to the Air Force, Fortson, who was from Atlanta, was at his off-base apartment on Racetrack Road when the shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m.

A witness who was on Facetime with Fortson throughout the encounter said Fortson was alone in his apartment when he heard a knock on the door, according to Crump.

The witness suspected police were at the wrong apartment because Fortson was alone and there was no disturbance, Crump said.

Fortson allegedly asked, “Who’s there?” but received no response.

“A few minutes later there was a very heavy knock on the door, but Roger saw no one when he looked through the peephole,” Crump said. “Concerned, he did what any other law-abiding citizen would do and retrieved his legally owned gun, but as he walked back into the living room, police burst through the door.”

Crump said Fortson was shot six times. The witness said she saw him lying on the ground and saying, “I can’t breathe.”

Fortson was taken to the hospital where he died.

“The circumstances surrounding Roger’s death raise serious questions that require immediate answers from authorities, especially given the alarming testimony that police entered the wrong apartment,” Crump said. “The account released by law enforcement, which falsely suggests that Roger posed a threat, is deeply disturbing and contradicts the testimony of this witness: Roger was home alone and not causing a disturbance when law enforcement tragically took his life cost. “

“Call for transparency”

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy has been placed on administrative leave “pending the outcome of a formal investigation and administrative review.”

“We demand transparency in the investigation into Roger’s death and the immediate release of body camera videos to the family,” Crump said.

Newsweek He requested body camera footage from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department but was told, “As this is an ongoing/ongoing investigation, BWC videos are not available for release.” The department also declined a request for release of the affidavit.

“His family and the public deserve to know what happened in the moments leading up to this tragedy,” Crump said. “We urge the authorities to immediately stop demonizing Roger in their statements to the media. It is imperative to correct the record and acknowledge the unlawful entry into Roger’s home.”

Who was Roger Fortson?

According to the Air Force, Fortson was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida. He entered active duty on November 19, 2019. He enrolled after graduating with honors from high school in Atlanta.

According to Crump, he had no criminal record.

Dozens of heartfelt messages on Facebook called him a “phenomenal human being” who “always had a smile on his face.”

“We know for certain that Roger was a dedicated U.S. Airman serving the country and a valued member of his community,” Crump said. “Any attempts to tarnish his character only exacerbate the pain felt by his loved ones.”