Airman Killed in Home by Deputies' Errant Raid; Family Seeks Justice
May 9, 202423-year-old U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson was fatally shot by deputies in his Florida apartment after they entered the wrong residence.
Fortson was armed with a legally owned gun and was shot six times, later dying at the hospital.
The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave, with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the local State Attorney's Office conducting investigations.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Fortson's family, is demanding the release of the body cam footage and calls for transparency.
The Sheriff's Office claimed self-defense but has not confirmed the mistake in address. Fortson had no criminal record and was a respected Air Force member since 2019.
The incident raises concerns about police actions similar to other cases where officers entered the wrong property or used excessive force.
Summary based on 21 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • May 9, 2024
Police shoot and kill Black US airman in Florida homeYahoo News • May 9, 2024
Air Force airman killed by Florida deputies who were at wrong apartment, attorney saysYahoo News • May 9, 2024
Florida deputies who fatally shot US airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says