Florida deputies who fatally shot US airman burst into the wrong apartment, attorney says.
Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, was in his off-base apartment in Fort Walton Beach when the shooting happened on May 3.
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
Statement from Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden on Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting
All of us at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office are saddened about the fatal officer-involved shooting over the weekend.
Late Friday afternoon, our deputy responded to a call of a disturbance in progress where he encountered an armed man.
The deputy shot the man, who later succumbed to his injuries.
I immediately placed the deputy on administrative leave and have asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to conduct the investigation that is required in such incidents.
The State Attorney’s Office will also conduct an independent review.
At this time, we humbly ask for our community’s patience as we work to understand the facts that resulted in this tragic event.
Sheriff Eric Aden
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office