A tragic incident unfolded near an Air Force base in the Florida panhandle on Friday, resulting in the loss of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a member of the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field. According to base officials, the 23-year-old airman lost his life following an altercation at his off-base residence that escalated into gunfire.
The situation unfolded when local law enforcement responded to a call about a disturbance in progress nearly 10 miles from Hurlburt Field. Upon arrival, a deputy encountered an armed individual at an apartment complex. Reportedly, the deputy, perceiving a threat to his safety, responded with gunfire after identifying himself as law enforcement. Unfortunately, Fortson was fatally injured in the exchange, despite efforts to save him at a nearby hospital. Thankfully, no officers were harmed during the incident.
The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. This development comes amid recent scrutiny of the department following a separate incident involving the discharge of a weapon by one of its deputies.
Fortson, who served as an AC-130J gunner, joined the Air Force in 2019. Hurlburt Field has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the ongoing investigation and has pledged to support Fortson’s family, his squadron, and all those affected by this tragedy.
This somber event in Florida is compounded by another recent loss in Alaska, where First Lt. Brandon Keyon Moultrie, stationed at Fort Wainwright, was fatally shot outside a bar in Fairbanks. Moultrie, an innocent bystander, was tragically caught in the crossfire of a dispute, further highlighting the risks faced by service members even in civilian settings.
