FL Deputy Who Killed Airman At Home Entered Wrong Apartment: Attorney

OKALOOSA COUNTY, FL — The attorney of a Florida airman who was shot and killed by an Okaloosa County deputy in his home last week says authorities entered the wrong apartment.

The airman was identified as Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, according to Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Fortson's family. Crump's office said Fortson was shot six times before later being pronounced dead.

Crump is expected to hold a news conference Thursday morning, requesting transparency and the release of body cam footage in the matter.

The circumstances of Fortson's death require immediate answers from authorities, Crump said in a statement.

"The narrative released by law enforcement, which falsely suggests that Roger posed a threat, is deeply troubling and inconsistent with the details provided by the witness: Roger was home alone, causing no disturbance, when his life was tragically cut short by law enforcement," Crump said.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said Wednesday that the deputy was called to the scene late Friday afternoon for a disturbance in progress.

The deputy then encountered a man who was accused of being armed, Aden said. The deputy shot the man, who later died of his injuries at a hospital, Aden said.

The man who died was later identified by the Air Force as Fortson, per media reports.

The deputy who fatally shot Fortson was immediately placed on administrative leave, Aden said, adding the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was asked to investigate the shooting.

"All of us at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office are saddened about the fatal officer-involved shooting over the weekend," Aden said in a Facebook post. "At this time, we humbly ask for our community’s patience as we work to understand the facts that resulted in this tragic event."

A witness was on Facetime with Fortson, who was alone in his apartment, during the entire encounter, according to a news release from Crump's office.

After a hearing a knock at the door, the release said Fortson asked who was at his door. He did not get a response, the release said.

A few minutes passed by, and then came a more aggressive knock, the release said. Upon looking out of the peephole, the release said Fortson did not see anyone.

"Concerned, he did what any other law-abiding citizen would do and retrieved his legally-owned gun, but as he was walking back to the living room, police burst through the door. When they saw the gun, they shot Roger six times. The witness has said that she saw Roger on the ground stating, 'I can’t breathe,' after he was shot," read the release.

The female witness said the police had entered the wrong apartment because no disturbance existed in Fortson's apartment, the release said.

"Few details have been provided by law enforcement," Crump's office said.

Aden said the State Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review of the case.

Crump added the family is requesting the release of body cam footage because both the family and the public should know the moments leading to Fortson's death.

"We urge authorities to immediately stop demonizing Roger in their statements to the media. It's imperative to correct the record and acknowledge the wrongful entry into Roger's home. What we know for sure is that Roger was a dedicated U.S. airman serving the country and a cherished member of his community," Crump said.

"Any attempts to tarnish his character only compound the pain felt by his loved ones. We demand justice for Roger Fortson. We demand accountability for those responsible for his death. And we stand in solidarity with Roger's family and friends as they navigate this unimaginable loss."

Fortson graduated from high school with honors before enlisting in the Air Force, Crump's office said. He had no criminal record and was a "stellar member of the Air Force and loved by his community," Crump's office said.