Body of US airman fatally shot by Florida deputy returned to Georgia ahead of funeral
The body of Roger Fortson, the 23-year-old active duty U.S. airman fatally shot by a Florida deputy, was delivered to his family this week.
It was reportedly transferred to Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday afternoon. The senior airman was shot and killed by an Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputy when, according to the department, the deputy was responding to "a disturbance in progress" on May 3.
A video posted by Ben Crump, the famed civil rights attorney representing the family, shows his casket wrapped in the American flag.
"As we gather to welcome Senior Airman Roger Fortson back into the arms of his grieving family, our hearts weigh heavy with sorrow, especially for his mother, whose strength amidst such pain is a beacon for us all. Together, we honor their unyielding spirit," Crump wrote.
More:Attorney for slain airman, sheriff dig in after release of shooting body-camera footage
According to the Associated Press, flowers, an open beer, combat boots, and other mementos were left outside his apartment in Fort Walton Beach. His funeral is set for Friday amid looming questions about the circumstances of his death.
“The circumstances surrounding Roger’s death raise serious questions that demand immediate answers from authorities, especially considering the alarming witness statement that the police entered the wrong apartment," Crump previously said in a statement.
Conflicting accounts of what happened
Last week, Sheriff Eric Aden held a press conference to address the shooting, where he disputed claims made by the family. The body camera footage shows when the deputy arrived at his apartment unit.
It indicates that the deputy was given a specific room number by a woman at the apartment complex and that he clearly knocked on a door and identified himself as being a deputy.
Though no sound from within the apartment indicates a violent argument of the type described by the woman in the video was occurring when the deputy arrived, Aden said "Mr. Fortson’s comments indicate that he did acknowledge it was law enforcement at his door, and that he arrived at the door with a firearm in his hand."
The video indicates the deputy stood to the side of the door, out of sight of the peephole, and began firing immediately after the door was opened. Crump also held a press conference Thursday to present what he says is the real story of how Fortson died; shot inside his own apartment by a cop who had burst in while he conversed over Facetime with his girlfriend.
Crump said that the girlfriend "heard everything" that occurred during the shooting and that Fortson was alarmed by the aggressive pounding on the door, especially after not seeing anyone through the peephole.
"In the four-and-a-half minute, heavily redacted video, it is very troubling that the deputy gave no verbal commands and shot multiple times within a split second of the door being opened, killing Roger," the family said in a statement in response to the footage.
"Despite the redactions, the video has provided some answers, but it’s also raised even more troubling questions: As the officer didn’t tell Roger to drop the weapon before shooting, was the officer trained to give verbal warnings? Did the officer try to initiate life-saving measures? Was the officer trained to deal with law-abiding citizens who are registered gun owners?"
Fortson's mother grapples with his death
Family, friends, and loved ones gathered over the weekend at a vigil in southeast Atlanta to pay tribute to Fortson. They spoke about his life and legacy and called for accountability.
"I’ll never hear his voice again," Chantemekki Fortson said, per WMAZ. "Y'all don't know the pain that I have. I keep putting my hand on my chest because I can’t feel my heartbeat. Ain’t nothing in this world will be able to bring my child back.”
She continued, "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."