The family of a U.S. airman was killed by a deputy in Okaloosa County who was working with attorney Ben Crump

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has been 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, April 4 .May.

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.

On Friday, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported that a deputy responded to a disturbance call saying the deputy encountered an armed man.

Her full statement on the incident can be found below:

“All of us at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office are saddened by the fatal officer-involved shooting over the weekend.

Late Friday afternoon, our deputy responded to a call about a disturbance where he encountered an armed man. The officer shot the man, who later died from his injuries.

I immediately placed the deputy on leave and asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct the investigation necessary in such incidents.

The prosecutor’s office will also conduct an independent review.

At this time, we humbly ask our community for patience as we work to understand the facts that led to this tragic event.”

According to a witness who was on Facetime with Roger during the encounter, he was alone in his apartment when he heard a knock on the door.

He reportedly asked, “Who’s there?” but received no response. According to Attorney Crump’s office, Roger heard another aggressive knock but saw no one when he looked through the peephole.

Family representatives said Roger became concerned and grabbed his legal weapon, but as he walked back into the living room, law enforcement burst through the door.

When they saw the gun, they reportedly shot Roger six times. The witness said she saw Roger on the ground and said, “I can’t breathe,” after he was shot.

The witness also said the police were at the wrong apartment and there was no disturbance in the apartment where Roger was staying.

According to Crump’s office, Roger enlisted in the military after graduating from high school with honors and had no criminal record.

The following is a statement from attorney Ben Crump:

“The circumstances surrounding Roger’s death raise serious questions that require immediate answers from authorities, particularly given the alarming testimony that police entered the wrong apartment. 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 .

We demand transparency in the investigation into Roger’s death and the immediate release of bodycam videos to the family. His family and the public deserve to know what happened in the moments leading up to this tragedy. We urge authorities to immediately stop demonizing Rogers in their statements to the media. It is imperative to correct the records and confirm the unlawful entry into Roger’s home. We know for certain that Roger was a dedicated U.S. Airman serving the country and a valued member of his community. Any attempt to tarnish his character only increases the pain felt by his loved ones.

We demand justice for Roger Fortson. We demand accountability from those responsible for his death. And we stand in solidarity with Roger’s family and friends as they cope with this unimaginable loss.”

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