Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office breaks silence on death of U.S. Air Force man

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is holding a press conference to speak out about the deadly shooting of an Air Force man.

[CVSoprano]

It is not illegal to be armed in your home. He did not draw his weapon on the officer. He did not disobey any order given. He was straight murdered.

[cb]

The gun was pointed STRAIGHT at the floor the entire time!!! IN HIS OWN HOME!!!

[Harry-hqfi]

“I don’t share this information to pass judgement.” Liar. This pathetic incompetent Sheriff needs to resign.

[whitediamond]

Everyone involved needs jail time. That was not self-defense.

[ninahill]

We're sick of your condolences. We don't need your damn investigation. We have eyes. We saw the video for ourselves.

[CVSoprano]

Same department whose deputy fired on his own vehicle because of an acorn. Absolute idiots.

[gilsongallego]

This is murder. There is no rush to judgment. But there is rush to cover up and justify this murder. A man in service to our country was murdered in his home.

[John-efxo]

This is the exact police department where the cops shoot at unarmed acorns .

[brokenwrench]

Deputy needs to be fired and charged!!!

[cb]

You murdered an active duty military hero! Graduated from HS with honors. Young man. This is just sickening.

[williamwatson]

With all the money that this country gives its police forces for training, this is the best that they can do? This man was murdered!

[somphonechanphouang]

That lady who reported it should be held accountable

[kskeel]

Cop has the right to show up to your door armed but you dont have the right to do the same???🤔🤔🤔

[stephenhancock]

Gun owning retired Air Force here, this cop should be in jail for murder.

[seth]

You’re allowed to carry in your own house and your own property. This was murder

[TheSoundzoneNetwork]

The only thing scarier than a coward is a coward with power. May God bless this young man's soul.

[BetterTextLex]

The investigation needs to determine why the deputy conceal himself from view of the peephole by standing off to the side of the door. If someone is banging on your door, claiming to be police, demanding you open the door, but you can’t see them, then it’s not unreasonable to arm yourself OR hesitate to open the door. If the deputy felt it was unsafe to show himself or stand in front of the door, then why not wait for backup before trying to gain entry? When the deputy arrived outside the apartment he wisely stood and listen before knocking. It didn’t sound like there was any arguing or fighting to corroborate that a crime was in progress or someone was in danger. Why not show yourself as law enforcement or wait for backup?

[irishinnj]

Is the Sheriff F**king joking? That Deputy opened fire before Fortson had even completely opened the door. He had his gun at his side, pointing down. The Deputy never gave an order to drop his gun or ANY order for that matter. This was a COMPLETELY UNJUSTIFIED shooting and that Deputy needs to do some serious jail time.

[renettawilliams]

He shot him first and then said drop the gun. MURDERER

[nickfinley]

No matter what he said, the officer involved is guilty! The man did not make any verbal threats, the man did not raise his weapon in any threatening manner!
The officer did announce himself but made no attempts to de-escalate, made no request to put the weapon down!