Attorney Ben Crump: Florida deputy went to wrong apartment, fatally shooting senior airman Roger Fortson

By Valerie J. Morgan

STONECREST, GA–National Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump presented new evidence today ( May 16), telling news media that the Florida deputy was at the wrong apartment when he confronted and fatally shot U.S. Air Force airman Roger Fortson in the doorway of his Fort Walton Beach, FL apartment. Fortson, who was on active duty, is from DeKalb County, GA.

The press conference was held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the city of Stonecrest, where Fortson’s funeral will be held on Friday, May 17, at 11 a.m. The airman’s mother, Meka Fortson, is a member of the mega church. She and other family members were overwhelmed with grief, crying openly as Crump described in detail how Roger Fortson was shot six times at his apartment on May 3 by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The deputy’s name has not been released.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden disputed allegations that the deputy went to the wrong apartment, saying the deputy acted in self-defense.

However, Crump told news reporters that body cam video shows the deputy arrived on the scene in response to a domestic disturbance in progress. The deputy met in the parking lot with a woman who worked at the front desk of the apartment’s leasing office. The woman pointed out the apartment and gave the deputy the unit number where she said the domestic disturbance was in progress between a man and woman.

Crump said there was no disturbance or woman inside Fortson’s apartment. Fortson was inside his apartment with his fluffy, white dog, Choloe. He was talking with his girlfriend via Facetime and they were making plans to see one another for the weekend.  Crump said the deputy knocked on the door and hid out of view three times as Fortson peeked through a peephole after hearing the knocks. Unable to see anyone, Fortson went to retrieve his gun, which he is licensed to carry, and opened the door, Crump said the body cam video shows. The deputy opened fire, shooting Fortson six times.

Crump showed a body cam video freeze frame of Fortson holding the gun downward with his right hand. Fortson’s finger was never on the trigger. He put his left hand up as soon as he opened the door to try and diffuse the situation, Crump said.

Crump said on top of the deputy being at the wrong apartment, he used “excessive force” during the confrontation. Fortson was still trying to obey the deputy’s commands, as he lay dying, Crump said.  Crump called the shooting an “execution,” vowing to fight for justice for Fortson.

Fortson enlisted in the military after graduating with honors from McNair High School in DeKalb County. His mother told On Common Ground News that he had lived at the Fort Walton Beach apartment complex off and on while he was based in Florida. He had returned to the same complex in August 2023 after serving a tour overseas.

Pastor Jamal Bryant will deliver the eulogy at the funeral and Attorney Crump will deliver a call for justice.

A live stream for the funeral at 11 a.m. can be found on New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s YouTube page and website.

Below is a look at portions of the May 16 press conference, which was held at New Birth Missionary  Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest, GA. Video and photos by Glenn L. Morgan/ocgnews.com