US airman shot and killed by police in Florida
Florida police have made public the body camera footage from a deputy sheriff who fatally shot a 23-year-old US Air Force member at his home.
Senior Airman Roger Fortson was taken to a hospital after the shooting, where he later died, according to officials.
A lawyer representing the victim’s family claimed that the police had entered the wrong home, based on a witness account. Police have disputed the claim and said the deputy reacted in self-defence after he saw Fortson armed with a gun.
The incident occurred on May 3 at Fortson’s home, which is located 5 miles (8km) from the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, where he was stationed.
Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson was serving our country honorably when a cop banged on the wrong apartment door and immediately shot him 6 times, killing him.
He was on a FaceTime call with someone when this went down. That person co formed Fortson could not have been… pic.twitter.com/MVwpBR7AxB
— Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) May 10, 2024
The deputy involved in the shooting, whose identity has not been disclosed by police, has been placed on administrative leave.
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden has stated that the shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.
Aden promised to provide “transparency and accountability” but added: “These investigations take time.”
“But I want to assure you that we are not hiding, covering up, or taking any action that would result in a rushed judgment of Mr Fortson or our deputy.”
