A US Air Force member was fatally shot by police who entered the wrong address, a lawyer for his family says.

Senior Airman Roger Fortson, who was 23 years old and black, died after a deputy sheriff shot him while responding to a service call.

Police earlier said the deputy reacted in self-defence after he saw Fortson armed with a gun.

Citing a witness, the lawyer alleges that police burst into the wrong home. He is demanding a full investigation.

The airman was shot on 3 May at his home, located 5 miles (8km) from the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, where he is based.

Fortson was taken to a hospital where he died, officials said.

The deputy who shot him has since been placed on administrative leave, according to a statement on Tuesday by Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden.

The incident is now being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office, Sheriff Aden added.

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