Florida Police Who Killed US Airman Allegedly Entered Wrong Apartment

Deputies responding to a disturbance call in a Florida apartment complex mistakenly entered the wrong unit, resulting in the fatal shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a Black US Air Force airman.

The incident occurred on May 3 in Fort Walton Beach, where Fortson, aged 23, was stationed at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Fortson's family, stated that Fortson was on a Facetime call with a woman when he heard knocking at his door.

Despite his attempts to identify the visitor, he received no response, AP News reports.

Moments later, Fortson retrieved his legally owned gun, fearing for his safety.

As he walked back through his living room, Florida police forcefully entered the apartment and fatally shot him six times, according to Crump's statement.

Crump emphasized the need for transparency in the investigation and the immediate release of bodycam footage to provide clarity on the events leading to Fortson's death.

He highlighted the alarming witness statement suggesting that law enforcement entered the wrong apartment, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding Fortson's death.

Response from Authorities

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, responsible for the incident, has not yet responded to requests for comments on Crump's claims.

The sheriff's office recently faced scrutiny following an incident involving a deputy who resigned after firing his weapon multiple times detained a suspect, according to Military.com.

US Airman Fortson, a member of the 4th Special Operations Squadron, was stationed at Hurlburt Field, where his duties included loading the gunship's cannons during missions.

The deputy connected to the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while an inquiry is conducted, as announced by Sheriff Eric Aden.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the local State Attorney's Office are conducting separate investigations into the incident. However, details about the disturbance call that prompted Florida police to visit the apartment building remain undisclosed.

Witnesses corroborated claims that Florida police entered the wrong apartment, adding urgency to demands for the immediate release of bodycam footage.

Sabu Williams, president of Okaloosa NAACP, expressed concerns about the incident and stressed the importance of understanding what transpired.

Continued Scrutiny

Fortson's untimely death bears similarities to previous cases involving the fatal shootings of Black individuals by law enforcement officers.

Crump, known for his advocacy in cases of police violence against Black people, seeks accountability and transparency in Fortson's case, echoing similar efforts in other high-profile cases.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with the State Attorney's Office, is conducting a thorough investigation into the shooting, Komo News noted.

Meanwhile, the community awaits answers regarding the circumstances that led Florida police to Fortson's home, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement actions.

The tragic incident has ignited discussions about police accountability and the need for reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

As investigations proceed, Fortson's family and community members remain vigilant in their pursuit of justice for the fallen US airman.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Attorney Ben Crump raises questions in deadly Florida officer-involved shooting - From WEAR Channel 3 News