The family of a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in Florida is being represented by Benjamin Crump, a well-known civil rights lawyer often referred to as “Black America’s attorney general.” Crump has been involved in several high-profile cases of police brutality over the past 15 years, including representing the families of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and other Black individuals whose deaths at the hands of law enforcement officers and vigilantes have contributed to the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also advocated for families affected by lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, as well as represented the family of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cells were instrumental in medical advancements.
Crump, a 54-year-old lawyer from Florida, has made it his mission to hold accountable police officers and vigilantes who act with impunity by seeking justice through the legal system. He aims to increase the value of Black lives by making those responsible for unjust killings face legal consequences.
Recently, a former Okaloosa County deputy, Eddie Duran, was charged in the shooting death of Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old Air Force senior airman who was holding a gun pointed toward the ground when he answered his apartment door.
Some of Crump’s most notable cases involving Black victims include Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tyre Nichols. These cases have garnered national attention and led to significant legal outcomes, such as settlements with cities and police departments, criminal convictions, and ongoing legal battles to seek justice for the victims and their families.
Crump’s dedication to fighting for civil rights and seeking justice for Black individuals impacted by police brutality and systemic racism has solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the legal community. His work continues to shed light on the injustices faced by Black communities and push for accountability in cases of racial discrimination and violence.