FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — The family of an Atlanta Air Force airman killed by a sheriff's deputy in Florida is planning on holding a news conference Friday morning to push for more to be done in the case. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is also expected to be in attendance.
Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old U.S. service member, was shot on May 3 by a deputy with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office who was responding to a call about a disturbance.
Fortson, an Atlanta native, died from his injuries. On June 1, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden fired Deputy Eddie Duran, who fatally shot Fortson at his apartment.
The body camera video shows that when the deputy arrived outside Fortson’s door, he stood silently for 20 seconds outside and listened, but no voices inside were heard on his body camera. He then pounded on the door but didn’t identify himself. He then moved to the side of the door, about 5 feet away. He waited 15 seconds before pounding on the door again. This time, he yelled, “Sheriff’s office — open the door!” He again moved to the side.
Less than 10 seconds later, he moved back in front of the door and pounded again, announcing himself once more.
Fortson, 23, opened the door with his legally purchased gun in his right hand. It was at his side, pointing to the ground. The deputy said, “Step back,” then immediately began firing. Fortson fell backward onto the floor.
Then, the deputy yells, “Drop the gun!”
The sheriff said Duran was wrong to fire his weapon.
A criminal investigation is being done by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Attorneys shared in a news release that they plan to demand charges in the case. The news conference is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 16. It will be held at the Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
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The 23-year-old U.S. service member graduated from McNair High School in DeKalb County. Following graduation, Fortson enlisted in the Air Force, where he was based at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field -- right near Fort Walton Beach.
The family suffered another devastating tragedy since Fortson's death. One of Fortson's siblings was killed in metro Atlanta last month in a shooting. A suspect has been arrested in the case.