FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – A tragic incident unfolded in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, as a young airman from the U.S. Air Force was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy at his off-base residence. The airman, identified as Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, was based at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy responded to a disturbance call and encountered Fortson, who was reportedly armed with a gun. The deputy, acting in self-defense, fired his weapon, resulting in Fortson being critically injured. Tragically, Fortson succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Following the incident, the deputy involved was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will spearhead the investigation, with the State Attorney’s Office conducting an independent review, as announced by Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden late Tuesday.
Fortson served as a special missions aviator with the 4th Special Operations Squadron, where he played a crucial role in loading the armaments of the squadron’s AC-130J Ghostrider during missions. The Air Force’s 1st Special Operations Wing expressed its commitment to providing support to Fortson’s family, the squadron, and all those affected by this tragic event.
As authorities work to unravel the details of the incident, the sorrow and shock over the airman’s untimely death are palpable within the community. The loss of Senior Airman Roger Fortson has left a profound impact, prompting a collective reflection on the inherent dangers faced by those in service and the sacrifices they make in the line of duty.