Okaloosa County Sheriff responds to local NAACP’s demands in airman shooting death

Pat O'Donnell
·2 min read
5

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — The Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP issued several demands Monday after members watched the body camera footage of the shooting death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson.

An Okaloosa County deputy shot and killed Fortson at his apartment on May 3 after authorities were called there following an alleged disturbance.

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Those demands are as follows:

  1. “A full, independent and transparent investigation of the killing of Senior Airman Fortson be conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement

  2. The United States Department of Justice conduct a full and transparent investigation into the killing of Airman Fortson

  3. All related body cam footage, audio, and digital communications, including any 911 calls be released publicly​

  4. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office release the disciplinary records of the officer involved in the killing of Airman Roger Fortson

  5. A series of community engagement sessions be held with the County Sheriff’s office

  6. Access to review reports on the use of force, use of lethal force complaints, disciplinary actions, termination records, and lawsuits connected to the Okaloosa County Sheriff within the past 10 years.

  7. All Police Departments in the State of Florida commit to training its officers in methods of de-escalation and other alternatives to the use of force”

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, who held a press conference last week, responded to the NAACP branch’s demands on Wednesday in a statement.

“We have received the NAACP Okaloosa Branch’s list of demands and understand their
concerns,” Aden’s statement said. “Sheriff Eric Aden has been in regular, close communication with the NAACP Okaloosa Branch in addition to U.S. Air Force leadership at Hurlburt Field, elected officials, and other community partners since the tragedy occurred.

“The NAACP’s local leadership privately viewed the available body-worn camera footage at our
invitation. At this time, a criminal investigation is being conducted by the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The request for other documentation related to the investigation
is exempt under Florida Statute Chapter 119.071 as they are part of an active criminal
investigation. We remain closely connected with FDLE related to the progress of this
investigation.

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“For our part, we wish to assure the NAACP Okaloosa Branch, its stakeholders, and our
community of our firm commitment to transparency and accountability. In the Sheriff’s meeting
with the NAACP and Hurlburt Field leadership this morning, he emphasized his commitment to
do what is right.

“We humbly ask for patience as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State
Attorney’s office conduct the most thorough review of the facts in this case. We continue to
pray for Mr. Fortson and his family.”

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