ARKANSAS – Today, the HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF), a nonprofit advocacy and educational organization, mourns the killing of Roger Fortson, a Black airman in the United States Air Force, and joins organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in solidarity across the nation urging for a full investigation into his killing by sheriff deputies in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

“Once again, another innocent Black man has been killed at the hands of our nation’s police system. The news of Roger’s tragic death deeply saddens our organization, and our hearts are with his family and loved ones as they grieve this senseless loss,” said Demetrius Johnson Jr., Founder, President, and CEO of the HBCU Campaign Fund. “We add our voices at HCF to join millions across this nation – including an organization that we favor so much – the Southern Poverty Law Center – to urge the end of police brutality against Black people.”

“We are tired, and we are tired of the senseless killing of other humans by those who supposedly are hired and trained to serve and protect this nation. We as a nation must continue to stand up and fight for the safety and humanity of Black people, as too many recently have been killed by police brutality. We ask for the authorities to provide complete transparency in Roger’s death to the attorney of this case, Ben Crump, and for justice for Roger’s family.” Johnson concluded.

Roger Fortson, 23, was killed in a deputy-involved shooting on Friday, May 3 in Fort Walton Beach. He was an U.S. Air Force Senior Airman, who was based at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field.

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