Okaloosa’s NAACP is seeking justice in the deputy-involved shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson

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    Benjamin Crump et al. standing on a stage

    Civil rights groups in Florida are demanding justice for Roger Fortson, 23, the Black Senior Airman who was fatally shot by an Okaloosa County Sheriff deputy.

    On Monday, the NAACP in Okaloosa County issued a statement asking for the department to make public documents that may help build Fortson’s case.

    “We could not simply just sit on our hands and hope this thing all by itself just evaporates,” said NAACP President Sabu Williams.

    The statement came with a list of demands:

    • A full, independent and transparent investigation of the killing of Senior Airman Fortson be conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
    • The United States Department of Justice conduct a full and transparent investigation into the killing of Airman Fortson
    • All related body cam footage, audio, and digital communications, including any 911 calls be released publicly
    • The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office release the disciplinary records of the officer involved in the killing of Airman Roger Fortson
    • A series of community engagement sessions be held with the County Sheriff’s office
    • Access to review reports on the use of force, use of lethal force complaints, disciplinary actions, termination records, and lawsuits connected to the Okaloosa County Sheriff within the past 10 years
    • All Police Departments in the State of Florida commit to training its officers in methods of de-escalation and other alternatives to the use of force

    Chantimekki Fortson, mother of Roger Fortson, a U.S. Navy airman, holds a photo of her son during a news conference regarding his death, with Attorney Ben Crump, right, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Fortson was shot and killed by police in his apartment on May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    The NAACP’s public records request was denied Wednesday due to the state using the documents as evidence.

    Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said he received the NAACP Okaloosa Branch’s list of demands and understand their concerns. Sheriff Aden turned the case over to the Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office. He says the deputy was responding to a domestic disturbance call, but Fortson was alone at the time.

    Body cam footage shows Fortson was armed which the deputy says caused him to act in ‘self-defense.’

    Fortson’s memorial servicewill be held Friday, May 17, 2024, 11:00 A.M. at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Rd., Stonecrest, GA. Fortson’s funeral will be live streamed on the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s YouTube page and website.

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