DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a metro Atlanta airman killed by a Florida deputy last week life was honored during a vigil in the community where he grew up.
Chantemekki Fortson, the mother of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, hugged family members and friends who knew her son. Some wore red shirts, Roger's favorite color, that read "We all we got" on the front and a picture of the veteran and his birth and death dates on the back.
Others displayed candles in a design that read "my gift" and released balloons to remember Roger, whom his mother called her gift. She said she shared her gift with the world. Roger traveled worldwide and put his life on the line for his country as a senior U.S. airman.
"I’ll never hear his voice again," Chantemekki said. "Y'all don't know the pain that I have. I keep putting my hand on my chest because I can’t feel my heart beat. Ain’t nothing in this world will be able to bring my child back.”
Body cam footage shows the moment one week ago when an Okaloosa County, Florida, deputy responded to a disturbance call. When Fortson opened the door, the body cam showed he was holding a gun pointed down. The deputy shot him six times within a few seconds. Fortson was 23 years old.
In a new cell phone video released by Fortson's family, a recorded Facetime by a woman believed to be Fortson's girlfriend reveals the moments just after the shooting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating whether the shooting was justified. Then, the State Attorney’s Office will conduct a third-party review.
In the meantime, a family continues to grieve in the same Southeast Atlanta community that raised Fortson. Chantemekki said her son loved playing with his siblings and was into Harry Potter and Marvel superheroes.
Fortson graduated from McNair High School in 2019 and entered the Air Force. The 1st Special Operations Wing Commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Dierig, released the following statement in response to Fortson's death:
“Our focus remains on supporting Senior Airman Fortson's family, providing necessary resources to the squadron and all members impacted, and maintaining professionalism and respect at Hurlburt Field. We respect the legal process and the family’s right to secure representation. SrA Fortson was a proven combat veteran and an incredible teammate. His loss is felt throughout the 4th Special Operations Squadron, the 73d Special Operations Squadron, and the entirety of our wing. We will honor his service at a date to be determined by his family and his squadron. For any inquiries regarding the ongoing investigation, we advise directing them to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”
Fortson's cousin, Natasha Latner, said he just celebrated his 25th birthday. He also leaves behind a sister and a brother.
"This community means a lot to Roger," Latner said. "He went and he did something different that a lot of men didn’t do. He wanted to better himself. He wanted to do better. He just got back from Kuwait, and you’re telling me he had to come back to die? I could understand if he died over there, but not in his own home.”
A family full of emotions still wants answers and justice for a life lost. The funeral for Fortson will be held next Friday, May 17, at 11 a.m. at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
“He wasn’t a color. He wasn’t a gender," Chantemekki said. "He was human. He was my gift that nobody gave me but God. Nobody had the right to take him. And I want justice for my child.”