Fort Walton Beach, Florida – Body camera footage released by Sheriff Eric Aden on Thursday revealed a deputy shooting a Black man, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson, immediately upon his opening of an apartment door. The incident, which resulted in Fortson’s death, has been denounced by his family as “unjustifiable.”
The video was made public following a news conference held by Fortson’s family and their legal representatives, including prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump disputed the deputy’s claim of acting in self-defense and raised concerns about procedural errors, such as the deputy allegedly going to the wrong apartment and failing to properly identify himself.
In the footage, the deputy can be seen arriving at the apartment building on May 3 and engaging with a woman who reported hearing an argument. After making his way to the apartment door, the deputy repeatedly commanded the occupant to open the door, only to open fire upon Fortson’s appearance with a handgun pointed downward.
Despite Fortson’s compliance with the deputy’s orders to “Drop the gun!” the deputy fired multiple rounds at him, leading to Fortson’s tragic demise. The sheriff’s office, responsible for the ongoing investigation, has placed the deputy on administrative leave pending further inquiry.
Crump, in a statement, highlighted the inaccuracies in the deputy’s account of the events, emphasizing that Fortson was on a call with his girlfriend prior to the shooting and was unjustly targeted. The family continues to maintain that the police were at the wrong apartment, as affirmed by the girlfriend’s testimony.
The video has prompted public outcry and demands for accountability, with community leaders and activists calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Fortson’s death. Aden, in a gesture of condolence, assured the family of a transparent investigation process.
The case adds to a distressing pattern of fatal encounters between law enforcement and Black individuals in their homes, evoking memories of other high-profile incidents such as the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor. Crump’s involvement underscores the ongoing fight for justice and accountability in cases of police violence against Black Americans.
As the investigation into Fortson’s death unfolds, the community remains vigilant, seeking answers and assurances that such tragedies will not be repeated in the future.