Airman Fatally Shot by Florida Deputy in Controversial Incident Caught on Bodycam

Bodycam footage has been released, capturing the heart-wrenching moment when a Florida deputy fatally shot an unarmed U.S. airman in a disputed incident. The footage has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the deputy's actions.

The release of bodycam footage has shed a grim light on the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson by an Okaloosa County deputy on May 3. The video has ignited controversy and sparked a debate about the excessive use of force and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to Fortson's family and their attorney, Ben Crump, the deputy knocked on the wrong door and gave no verbal commands before opening fire. They maintain that Fortson was unaware it was law enforcement at the door and had no intention of harming anyone.

However, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office disputes these claims, stating that the deputy announced his presence twice and that Fortson emerged with a firearm in hand. The sheriff, Eric Aiden, has emphasized that an investigation is ongoing and that it is premature to determine whether the deputy's actions were justified.

The bodycam footage shows the deputy approaching Fortson's apartment door at approximately 4:30 p.m., pausing briefly outside, and then knocking and announcing his presence as a sheriff's deputy. Fortson opens the door holding a gun in his right hand by his side. The deputy immediately fires multiple shots, and Fortson falls backward onto the ground.

In the video, Fortson can be heard saying, "It's over there," indicating that he did not have the gun in his hand. The deputy then calls for EMS.

Fortson's family and Crump insist that the deputy was directed to the wrong apartment and that there was no reason to suspect a disturbance in Fortson's apartment since he was home alone. They believe that the deputy's actions were reckless and unjustified.

The sheriff's office maintains that the deputy was not mistaken about the apartment and that there was a witness who had previously reported hearing noises from that unit. However, the family argues that there was no indication of a disturbance on the day of the shooting.

In addition to the bodycam footage, Crump's office has released FaceTime video from Fortson's call with his girlfriend. The footage reportedly shows Fortson moaning and saying "I can't breathe" as he lay wounded.

The fatal shooting of Roger Fortson has sparked outrage and calls for a thorough investigation. Civil rights groups have condemned the deputy's actions, while law enforcement officials have emphasized the need for transparency.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting an independent investigation into the incident, and the state attorney will ultimately determine whether charges will be filed. The Air Force has also expressed its condolences to Fortson's family and has initiated an internal review.

Crump, who also represented the family of Breonna Taylor, has drawn parallels between the two cases, citing the lack of a clear reason for police intervention and the tragic loss of life. Taylor was an emergency medical technician who was killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2020 after being mistaken for a suspect in a drug raid.

The release of the bodycam footage has raised numerous questions about the circumstances surrounding Fortson's shooting. Why was the wrong apartment targeted? Why did the deputy not give verbal commands before firing? What actions led to the deputy's decision to use lethal force?

These questions remain unanswered as the investigation unfolds. The family of Roger Fortson is seeking justice and accountability, while the sheriff's office maintains its commitment to a fair and impartial investigation. The outcome of this controversial incident will undoubtedly have implications for policing practices and civil rights in the United States.