In a press conference held on Thursday, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump asserted that the body camera video and police radio audio obtained by the family of Roger Fortson support their claim that the Florida sheriff's deputy responded to the wrong apartment while handling a domestic disturbance call. Fortson, a Black Air Force senior airman, was shot and killed by the deputy on May 3 in his Fort Walton Beach apartment.

During the news conference, Crump played a condensed version of the police radio audio, in which a dispatcher stated that they received the location information from a "fourth party" at the front desk of the apartment complex. The dispatcher provided limited details, mentioning only a male and female involved in the disturbance. Crump clarified that the audio excluded irrelevant communications. NBC News has not independently verified the unedited version of the audio.

Crump highlighted that neither the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office nor the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, responsible for the criminal investigation, have addressed the family's claim that the deputy mistakenly went to the wrong door. The sheriff's office has yet to release an incident report or 911 records. Previously, Sheriff Eric Aden stated that the deputy did not enter the wrong apartment.

According to Fortson's family and their attorneys, the deputy's arrival at the wrong apartment is supported by the fact that Fortson was alone at home and on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend during the incident. Crump emphasized that there was no evidence of raised voices or any indication that Fortson posed a threat. In fact, the couple was making plans to meet each other that weekend.

The attorney presented two clips from the deputy's body camera footage, showing him being led around the apartment complex by a woman. At one point, the deputy asked her which door to approach, and she responded by saying she was unsure. The woman also mentioned hearing a previous disturbance, including a slap, but was uncertain about its source. Crump commented on Thursday that he believes the woman works in the leasing office of the complex.

The body camera video captured the deputy knocking on the door without identifying himself, followed by two more knocks during which he identified himself as a member of the sheriff's office. Shortly after, Fortson answered the door with a gun in his right hand, pointed downwards, and was shot by the deputy within seconds. Following the shooting, the deputy commanded Fortson to drop the gun. It was later revealed that Fortson legally owned the firearm.

Throughout the press conference, Crump repeatedly alleged that the deputy had used excessive force and effectively "executed" Fortson. The attorney and Fortson's family firmly believed that his killing was unjustified.

As investigations and inquiries continue into this tragic incident, the community awaits further updates from law enforcement authorities regarding the allegations made by Fortson's family and their legal representation.