FILE - This photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, shows Senior Airman Roger Fortson in a Dec. 24, 2019, photo. (U.S. Air Force via AP, File)
Florida authorities released the bodycam footage of Airman Roger Fortson’s death on Thursday, May 9.
According to The New York Post, the video shows the serviceman was shot several times immediately after opening the door to his apartment.
The 23-year-old was killed by a deputy reportedly responding to a domestic violence call at Chez Elan Apartments in Fort Walton. A woman called the police department on May 3 to report she heard arguing from an adjacent apartment.
Instead of going to the troubled couple’s apartment, the officer went to Roger’s. The special operations airman was leery of the knocks on his door. Therefore, he retrieved his legally registered handgun.
The deputy says, “Sheriff’s office, open the door!”
The twenty-something eventually opens his front door. A gun appears to be by Roger’s side pointing to the ground. The officer shoots him multiple times and then says, “Drop the gun! Drop the gun!”
“I don’t have it!” he yelled.
The Senior Airman rolled over on his side. The officer then called for backup and EMS.
Attorney Ben Crump stated that Roger did not know it was sheriff’s deputies at his front door.
“He was a great guy.” he stated. “They took a patriot from us,” Crump added.
Additionally, Crump revealed Fortson was on FaceTime with his girlfriend at the time of the incident. He released footage of the recorded call to PEOPLE. The camera is facing the ceiling fan in Roger’s apartment.
The military official moans as he says, “I can’t breathe!”
The officer shouts, “Don’t move! Stop moving!”
Fortson passed away from his injuries at the hospital.
