Former Okaloosa County Deputy Sheriff Eddie Duran Jr. has been charged with manslaughter for the shooting death of U.S. Air Force serviceman Roger Fortson. Duran allegedly shot Fortson while responding to a disturbance call at Fortson’s apartment complex. Fortson was unarmed and had a gun pointed towards the ground when he was shot. The charges come after demands for justice from Fortson’s family, who also lost another son to a fatal shooting. If convicted, Duran could face up to 30 years in prison.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Fortson family, described the charges as the first step towards justice. He emphasized that law enforcement officers have a duty to protect and defend, and their actions have consequences, especially when they result in loss of life. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, which fired Duran following an internal investigation, expressed support for the charges and offered condolences to the Fortson family.
Duran, who had military and law enforcement experience, had rejoined the sheriff’s office in 2023 after previously serving as a police officer in Oklahoma. He had a background in crisis response and trauma counseling. The incident occurred in May, and body camera footage released by police showed Duran shooting Fortson after instructing him to step back. The victim, Fortson, was an active-duty airman at the time of his death.
The charges against Duran represent a development in a case that has raised questions about law enforcement’s use of force and accountability in cases involving civilian deaths. The Fortson family continues to seek justice and closure in the wake of Roger’s tragic death.
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