The bodycam footage released by Florida police shows the moment when a deputy fatally shot Air Force airman Roger Fortson, 23, as he answered the door of his apartment. Fortson, who was Black, was seen holding a handgun by his side when the deputy opened fire multiple times at close range, resulting in his death. The family’s civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, urged officials to release the footage. There is a dispute between the family and local police over what led to the shooting, with the family claiming law enforcement knocked on the wrong door and that no verbal commands were given before the shooting.
The incident occurred in Okaloosa County, Florida, after the deputy responded to a domestic disturbance report. The family insists that law enforcement knocked on the wrong door and that the deputy did not give any verbal commands before shooting Fortson. The bodycam footage shows the deputy knocking on the door and shouting for it to be opened before Fortson opened it with a gun in his right hand. The deputy fired multiple shots, causing Fortson to fall to the ground and instructing him to drop the gun. The Sheriff’s Office has refuted claims that the wrong apartment was entered and stated that the deputy followed protocol.
Sheriff Eric Aiden of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of investigating the incident to determine whether the deputy’s actions were justified. He denied allegations that the wrong apartment was entered and confirmed that the deputy announced his presence before the shooting. The video evidence indicated that the correct apartment was approached, and proper protocol was followed. The investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney is ongoing, and transparency is a priority for law enforcement.
There are conflicting reports about what led to the shooting, with Crump stating that Fortson was talking to his girlfriend on FaceTime when he heard the knock on the door. The girlfriend claims Fortson asked who was at the door but received no response, prompting him to retrieve a legally owned gun. The family’s attorney released FaceTime video showing Fortson moaning and saying he couldn’t breathe after being shot. Crump highlighted that Fortson was a patriot who respected authority and followed the rules, painting him as a good young man who dreamt of becoming a pilot.
Crump also represented Breonna Taylor’s family, who died in a similar police shooting in her apartment. Taylor, an emergency medical technician, was shot multiple times when police entered her home with a drug warrant. Crump described Fortson as a patriot who would have complied with police commands if he had known it was law enforcement at the door. The Air Force confirmed that Fortson supported its special operations wing at Hurlburt Field. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, with questions surrounding the events leading up to the fatal encounter.
The release of the bodycam footage has sparked debate over the use of force by law enforcement and the protocols followed during such situations. The family’s claims of law enforcement entering the wrong apartment and the lack of verbal commands before the shooting have raised concerns about transparency and accountability. The investigation will shed light on the circumstances that led to Fortson’s death and determine whether the deputy’s actions were justified. The tragic event has once again highlighted the need for clarity in police procedures and the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals during law enforcement encounters.
