‘Big Incident Now!’ US Airman Killed In Florida Returns To Atlanta On Honor Flight
The body of Senior Airman Roger Fortson arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m.
Atlanta — After being slain by a Florida constable earlier this month, the body of an airman from metro Atlanta was returned home.
Tuesday at roughly 4 p.m., the remains of U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on an honour flight. His coffin, covered in an American flag, was removed from the aircraft.
On May 3, a deputy from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office fatally shot an American service member inside an apartment in Florida. The sheriff’s office reports that a deputy responding to a report of a disturbance in progress “reacted in self-defence after he encountered a 23-year-old man armed with a gun.”
The interaction between the constable and Fortson is captured on bodycam footage. As Fortson opens the door, the constable appears on camera, introduces himself, and orders him to back off. Immediately after, there are gunshots heard.
Fortson was shot and killed by the constable, who was observed having a gun by his side. Fortson had lawful possession of the gun discovered at the scene, according to the family lawyer.
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Audio from the interaction is also captured on cell phone footage that Fortson’s family was able to retrieve. As the constable arrived, according to his attorneys, he was having a FaceTime conversation with a woman; the person on the other end had filmed the conversation.
Fortson was from Atlanta, according to family lawyers, and he attended McNair High School in DeKalb County. Following graduation, Fortson joined the Air Force and was stationed close to Fort Walton Beach at Hurlburt Field’s Special Operations Wing.
On Friday, friends and family came together to observe a vigil in the airman’s honour. Some had on his favourite colour, red shirts with the words “We all we got” and a photo of the 23-year-old on the back.
Chantemekki Fortson, his mother, remarked at the vigil, “I’ll never hear his voice again.” “You people are unaware of my suffering. My hand keeps going to my chest because I’m having trouble feeling my heartbeat. There is nothing in this world that can bring my child back.
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will host the funeral on Friday, May 17, starting at 11 a.m.