Newly released bodycam footage shows a Florida deputy fatally shooting a U.S. airman, Roger Fortson, while responding to a domestic disturbance report. The incident has sparked a dispute between the family and police over the circumstances leading up to the deadly encounter.
Bodycam footage released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has shed light on the fatal shooting of a U.S. airman, Roger Fortson, last week. The incident has garnered national attention and raised questions about excessive force and potential mistaken identity.
The bodycam footage captures the moments leading up to the shooting. Deputy Christopher Soido arrives at an apartment complex in response to a report of domestic disturbance. He approaches apartment 1401 and knocks on the door while announcing his presence as a law enforcement officer.
Within seconds, Fortson, a Black senior airman stationed at Hurlburt Field, answers the door holding a handgun by his side. Soido immediately opens fire, striking Fortson multiple times. The airman falls backward, fatally wounded.
The family of Roger Fortson, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, has disputed the official account of events provided by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. They claim that Soido failed to identify himself as a police officer and did not issue any verbal commands before firing his weapon.
Crump's office released FaceTime video footage from Fortson's call with his girlfriend, allegedly showing Fortson moaning and saying "I can't breathe" as he lay mortally wounded. The camera angle does not reveal the shooter or the victim.
The family further alleges that the deputy responded to the wrong apartment, leading to the tragic confrontation. Witness testimony suggests that the complaint of domestic disturbance originated from a different unit in the complex.
However, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aiden maintains that Soido knocked on the correct door and did not obstruct the peephole or otherwise obscure the view. He has stated that the investigation is ongoing and will determine whether the officer's actions were justified.
The bodycam footage has left many unanswered questions about the incident. It remains unclear who called law enforcement on the day of the shooting and why. Additionally, the motive behind Fortson having a firearm in his hand at the time of the encounter is unknown.
The tragedy has amplified concerns about the use of excessive force by law enforcement and the need for greater transparency and accountability in policing. The investigation into the shooting is expected to continue, and the findings will be closely scrutinized by the public and legal experts.
