The Libertarian Party of Florida expressed outrage and profound grief over the senseless killing of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old U.S. Air Force serviceman, in his own home by Okaloosa County Sheriff deputies.
The LPF said this “egregious error—bursting into the wrong apartment and fatally shooting an innocent man defending his home—is not just tragic; it is a stark emblem of the systemic failings in our law enforcement system.”
Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old active-duty Senior Airman, was fatally shot by a Florida Sheriff’s Deputy after police entered the wrong apartment this month. Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has been retained by the family of Roger Fortson and has been responding on behalf of the family.
The Libertarian Party of Florida issued the following statement demanding justice for Senior Airman Roger Fortson:
Senior Airman Fortson was not just a member of the U.S. Air Force; he was a defender of our nation, tragically gunned down in what should have been his sanctuary of safety. The circumstances surrounding his death are outrageous and demand immediate and transparent action from all levels of government.
The LPF is sickened that such raids continue to endanger citizens, compounded by a lack of accountability when these tragic errors occur. The fact that law enforcement officers can mistakenly kill a law-abiding citizen in his own home without immediate and severe repercussions is a miscarriage of justice that we cannot tolerate.
Governor Ron DeSantis must cease his unequivocal support for the militarization of police against their own neighbors, and the laws that shield officers from the consequences of their actions. We demand an end to qualified immunity that allows law enforcement officials to act with impunity. How many more innocent lives like Roger’s will be snuffed out before we say enough is enough?
The LPF calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into this murder. State Rep. Wyman Duggan and State Sen. Bryan Avila should be held accountable for the continuation of violent policing tactics through their authoring of bills to end citizen oversight of Florida law enforcement. We demand that those responsible are held accountable. We stand with the family of Senior Airman Fortson and will not rest until justice is served.
Enough is enough. Governor DeSantis, the time to end these deadly and unaccountable practices is now. We challenge you to stand with us in protecting the lives of all Floridians, including those who serve to protect our country. Stop kowtowing to those who abuse their power. Honor Roger Fortson’s memory by ensuring that no other innocent life is lost under similar circumstances.
Kudos to the Libertarian Party of Florida for standing up for justice in this case. We need to end “qualified immunity” so that police officers are held accountable for their actions like anyone else, and require them to individually purchase liability insurance, so that misbehaving officers will be forced to pay higher premiums and eventually be unable to afford to remain on the force. Then maybe more of them will respect civilian rights like the right to keep and bear arms in your own home, and fewer State murders like this will occur.