Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old active-duty Senior Airman, was fatally shot by a Florida sheriff’s deputy on May 3. The Florida resident, who enlisted in the military after graduating from high school with honors, had no criminal record.
On the day he was killed, Fortson opened the door while holding a handgun pointed towards the floor. The deputy shouted, “Step back!” and then shot Fortson six times. He then called paramedics on his radio.
Fortson’s family and their attorney Ben Crump argue that the shooting was unjustified. They claim the deputy had gone to the wrong apartment while responding to a call about a possible domestic disturbance in progress at Fortson’s apartment complex. Fortson was home alone and talking to his girlfriend on FaceTime when he grabbed his gun because he heard someone outside his unit, Crump said.
Sheriff’s officials say the deputy acted in self-defense. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and the deputy has been placed on administrative leave.
