Aaron Rozier and Roger Fortson met in 2021 at Hurlburt Field Air Force base in Florida and quickly bonded over their shared Georgia roots. They discovered that they grew up just minutes away from each other in the Atlanta metro area and became like brothers. When Fortson was tragically shot and killed by a deputy from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in his off-base apartment, Rozier was devastated. The sheriff’s office released body camera video of the incident, showing Fortson holding a legally owned handgun that was pointed downward when he was shot. Rozier plans to attend Fortson’s funeral in Georgia to honor his memory as a charismatic, wise, and caring friend who always brought laughter and support to those around him.
Charles Johnson, an airman stationed at Hurlburt Field who was a close friend of Fortson, described him as a fun-loving, goofy, and fantastic friend who was always the life of the party. They communicated daily in a group chat and enjoyed playing video games together. Johnson and Rozier believe Fortson’s killing was unjustified and possibly racially motivated. They feel that the deputy who shot Fortson did not give verbal commands and reacted based on fear and prejudice against a Black man with a firearm. Fortson’s family has raised questions about the deputy’s training and whether proper procedures were followed during the encounter. As a security forces member, Rozier highlighted the importance of meeting specific preconditions before drawing a weapon and emphasized the need for accountability in cases like Fortson’s.
The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida State Attorney’s Office conduct investigations into the incident. Sheriff Eric Aden has stated that the deputy acted in self-defense, but friends and family of Fortson question this assertion. Rozier emphasized that Fortson, despite having the capability and opportunity to injure the deputy, did not show any intent to harm. Fortson had plans to be medically discharged from the Air Force due to an injury and had aspirations of enrolling in nursing school and settling down in Houston. His untimely death has left his loved ones and friends grappling with grief and seeking justice for his memory.
The release of the body camera video has shed some light on the events leading to Fortson’s death but has also raised more troubling questions about the conduct of the deputy involved. Fortson’s loved ones want to know if the deputy was properly trained to handle situations involving law-abiding citizens who are registered gun owners and why no verbal commands were issued before the shooting. Johnson and Rozier believe that Fortson’s race played a significant role in his tragic death and that he was not given a fair chance by the responding deputy. They have organized a vigil in his honor and are advocating for transparency and accountability in the investigation of the shooting.
Remembered as a caring and supportive friend, Fortson touched the lives of those around him with his humor, wisdom, and genuine personality. His friends recall fond memories of spending time together, playing video games, and engaging in meaningful conversations. As they mourn his loss and seek justice for his death, they reflect on the impact he had on their lives and the legacy he leaves behind. Fortson’s family and friends are determined to ensure that his memory is honored, and his death is not in vain as they navigate through this challenging time of grief and uncertainty.
