Congressional Black Caucus: Public trust ‘broken’ after police killing of Roger Fortson

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Thursday called on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to release its findings on the police shooting of Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old senior airman who died after a deputy shot him six times earlier this month.

“Senior Airman Fortson was a son, brother, friend, and patriot who should still be with his family today,” the CBC said in a statement. “He was an Air Medal recipient who served our nation honorably, and we are forever grateful for his heroism and service.” Body camera footage of the shooting released last week shows the unidentified deputy shooting Fortson multiple times within seconds of the active-duty airman opening his apartment door.

Fortson was holding his legally owned firearm at the time, which he grabbed after being unable to identify who was at the door, according to civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump is representing Fortson’s family.