The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office released body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of 23-year-old U.S. airman, Senior Airman Roger Fortson, by a sheriff’s deputy in May. The video showed the deputy responding to a disturbance call at Fortson’s apartment, speaking to a woman outside who reported hearing an argument, and then knocking on Fortson’s door. The deputy opened fire on Fortson just moments after he opened the door while holding a gun pointing down, despite the officer’s commands to drop it.
Sheriff Eric Aden stated during a news conference that it pained him to show the video to the public but believed it was necessary for transparency. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Fortson’s family, accused the deputy of going to the wrong apartment and claimed that the shooting was unjustified. The 23-year-old airman was transported by the Air Force to Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for a dignified transfer, and his family is preparing for his funeral at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia.
Fortson was stationed at Hurlburt Field and served as a gunner aboard an AC-130J, earning an Air Medal with a combat device. The body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office showed the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, with the deputy calling for emergency medical services after firing his weapon. The video captured the interaction between Fortson and the deputy, with the airman denying having the gun despite being ordered to drop it.
The shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson has raised questions about the actions of the sheriff’s deputy and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The release of the body camera footage has sparked criticism from civil rights advocates, who argue that the shooting was unjustified. The case has also drawn attention to the training and protocols followed by law enforcement officers when responding to calls for assistance.
The tragic death of Fortson has highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in law enforcement agencies, particularly in cases involving the use of deadly force. The shooting has devastated Fortson’s family and colleagues at Hurlburt Field, who are mourning the loss of a dedicated airman. As the investigation into the shooting continues, the community and the public are seeking answers and justice for Senior Airman Roger Fortson.
