On May 3, a deputy-involved shooting resulted in the tragic death of an active-duty U.S. airman.
According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s department, a 23-year-old man named Roger Fortson was fatally shot by a deputy in response to a reported disturbance.
The Fortson family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who alleges that the department is concealing wrongdoing in the aftermath of the shooting.
Attorney Crump expressed his concern over Roger’s death and called for prompt answers from the authorities. He emphasized the need for clarification, particularly in light of the disturbing witness statement suggesting that the police mistakenly entered the wrong apartment.
Family, police dispute events preceding shooting
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Sheriff Eric Aden held a press conference on Thursday, where he challenged certain claims made by the Fortson family and presented police body cam footage as evidence. The footage demonstrates that the deputy involved in the shooting had indeed approached the correct door in response to the disturbance call.
In the recently released video, it is evident that the deputy received a specific room number from a woman at the apartment complex. He proceeded to knock on the door and clearly identified himself as a deputy.
According to Aden, there was no audible evidence of a heated argument taking place inside the apartment when the deputy arrived. However, Aden pointed out that “Mr. Fortson’s comments suggest that he recognized it was law enforcement at his door and approached the door holding a firearm.”
The deputy positioned himself beside the door, ensuring he was not visible through the peephole. As soon as the door swung open, he swiftly opened fire.
Crump also hosted a press conference on Thursday to reveal what he claims to be the true account of Fortson’s death: he was shot inside his own apartment by a police officer who forcefully entered while he was having a conversation with his girlfriend on Facetime.
An attorney from Crump’s office claims that they have found an unofficially redacted 911 call, which suggests that a disturbance was reported to the leasing office at the Elan Apartment. This disturbance is believed to have been caused by a fourth party.
According to her, the lawyers representing the Fortson family are of the belief that the disturbance call was the one that prompted the deputies to respond to the location where the tragic shooting occurred. However, they are still seeking further information and answers.
Fortson’s family released a statement on Thursday after reviewing the body camera footage.
The four-and-a-half minute video is deeply concerning as the deputy did not give any verbal commands and fired multiple shots seconds after the door was opened, resulting in Roger’s death. While the video provides some answers, it also raises additional troubling questions. Was the officer trained to give verbal warnings before shooting? Did the officer attempt life-saving measures? Was the officer trained to handle law-abiding citizens who legally own firearms?
Girlfriend witnessed shooting on Facetime
According to Crump, the girlfriend, who has retained legal representation and is currently maintaining a low profile, has informed him that she was privy to all the events that transpired inside Fortson’s apartment on the day of the shooting.
Fortson was startled by an aggressive pounding on the door of the apartment. However, when he peered through the peephole, he couldn’t see anyone on the other side. In response, he retrieved his legally registered gun.
During Crump’s press conference, Meka Fortson, Roger’s mother, emotionally recounted the traumatic event. “She just heard shots and he was on the ground,” she said, her voice trembling. “They just said ‘he’s shot up’. My baby was shot up.” Her anguish and concern for her son were evident as she shared the heartbreaking details.
Who was Roger Fortson?
According to Meka Fortson, Roger is the pillar of their family and he made the decision to join the military right after finishing high school in order to pursue his goal of purchasing a home for her.
“He was living his dream, striving to improve the lives of his mother and family,” she expressed with admiration.
According to her, he was highly regarded by his military superiors and colleagues. Roger, who joined active duty on November 19, 2019, was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron.
According to Meka Fortson, everyone has spoken highly of the young man’s character, emphasizing his respectability. She further mentions that he would never have engaged in a confrontation with law enforcement officers due to his deep reverence for them.
Attorney and sheriff stand their ground after release of shooting body-camera footage
The attorney representing the family of the slain airman and the sheriff involved in the shooting are both resolute in their positions following the release of the body-camera footage. Despite the video evidence, which has sparked controversy and public outcry, they are standing firm in their respective stances.
The attorney for the airman’s family is unwavering in his belief that the shooting was unjustified and that the officer should be held accountable for his actions. He points to specific moments in the footage that he believes demonstrate excessive use of force and a lack of proper de-escalation techniques. The attorney vows to pursue justice for the family and seeks to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.
On the other hand, the sheriff maintains that the officer acted in self-defense and followed proper protocols during the encounter. He argues that the video footage doesn’t capture the full context of the situation and that the officer’s actions were justified given the circumstances. The sheriff expresses his support for the officer and emphasizes the importance of allowing a thorough investigation to take place before passing judgment.
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