Incident Overview
On the night of the incident, a Florida sheriff’s deputy mistakenly went to the wrong apartment in response to a domestic disturbance call. The victim, U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson, was shot and killed by the deputy.
Attorney’s Statement
Benjamin Crump, the attorney representing Fortson’s family, released new audio evidence. The recording captures a dispatcher informing the deputy that the domestic disturbance call was based on fourth-party information and that it did not correspond to the apartment where Fortson resided.
Details of the Shooting
Fortson, who was on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend at the time, reportedly answered the door with a firearm because he heard loud banging. The body camera footage shows Fortson holding the gun pointed toward the floor. He was shot within a second of opening the door. The sheriff’s office claims the deputy fired because Fortson had a gun.
Public Reaction and Memorial
A wake was held at Donald Trimble Mortuary in Decatur, where family and friends paid their respects. Fortson will be laid to rest on Friday, with special tributes from the U.S. Air Force and Members of Congress. Kira Taylor, a fellow airman and owner of a horse and carriage company, will provide her services for the funeral free of charge as a tribute.
Current Status of the Deputy
The deputy involved in the shooting is currently on administrative leave pending the investigation. Channel 2 Action News will continue to provide updates on the case.
Community Response
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice from the community and Fortson’s family, who consider the shooting an unjust act.
