The Florida state attorney has filed charges against former deputy Eddie Duran in the shooting death of United States Air Force Sr. Airman Roger Fortson who was killed in his own home.
Duran was charged with one count of manslaughter with a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years. The court will be issuing a warrant for Durant’s arrest on Friday.
The deputy, who shot Fortson in an encounter on May 3, was terminated from the department in May, according to a sheriff’s department statement obtained by ABC News.
Fortson, 23, was in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, when Duran responded to the apartment for a call reporting a domestic disturbance, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Fortson was alone in the apartment at the time.
In body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office, Fortson is seen holding a gun in his right hand with his arm extended downward and the muzzle pointing at the floor as he opens the door in response to the deputy, who can be heard announcing twice that he’s with the sheriff’s office. The footage, reviewed by ABC News, also shows Fortson had his left hand up, palm showing, gesturing towards the deputy when he opened the door.
Duran shot Fortson within seconds of the door opening, according to the footage. Fortson died of his injuries.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson was shot in his home by a Florida sheriff’s deputy. Body camera footage appears to show Fortson had a gun in his hand at the time of the shooting.
Air force
The deputy said he saw Fortson armed with a gun and that Fortson took a step toward the deputy and had a look of aggression in his eyes, according to an interview Duran conducted with the sheriff’s office during their subsequent investigation.
Fortson’s girlfriend, who asked not to be identified due to fears for her safety, spoke in May to Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB-TV, telling the station her and Fortson were having a conversation on the phone about weekend plans when the shooting occurred.
Duran was placed on administrative leave following the shooting while it was investigated. “Hearing sounds of a disturbance, he reacted in self-defense after he encountered a 23-year-old man armed with a gun,” according to a sheriff’s office statement released on May 9. “[This was] after the deputy had identified himself as law enforcement.”
A sweep of the home did not find another person in the apartment besides Fortson, police said. In the body camera video, a woman, presumed to be a building manager, explains to the officer that someone in the building notified her of the disturbance and that she called police.
“This tragic incident should have never occurred,” Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said in a statement on Friday, announcing that Duran had been fired. “The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.”
Fortson’s family said in a statement to ABC News on Friday that the charges marked a “first step towards justice” in the case.
“Nothing can ever bring Roger back, and our fight is far from over, but we are hopeful that this arrest and these charges will result in real justice for the Fortson family,” the statement said. “Let this be a reminder to law enforcement officers everywhere that they swore a solemn oath to protect and defend, and their actions have consequences, especially when it results in the loss of life.”
The state attorney’s office said it’s very limited in what they can say because this is still an ongoing investigation. No press conferences are scheduled at this time.
Former deputy faces manslaughter charges for the death of airman Roger Fortson
In a tragic turn of events, a former deputy is facing manslaughter charges for the death of airman Roger Fortson. The incident occurred on a routine traffic stop that quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation.
According to reports, Fortson was pulled over by the deputy for a minor traffic violation. However, things took a turn for the worse when Fortson allegedly became agitated and uncooperative with the deputy. The situation quickly escalated, leading to a physical altercation between the two men.
During the altercation, the former deputy allegedly used excessive force against Fortson, ultimately leading to his death. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice from Fortson’s family and the community at large.
The former deputy has since been charged with manslaughter and is awaiting trial. The case has brought to light the issue of police brutality and the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis and the importance of proper training and de-escalation techniques. It also highlights the need for transparency and accountability when incidents of police misconduct occur.
As the case moves forward, it is crucial that justice is served for Roger Fortson and his family. It is also important for law enforcement agencies to take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Overall, this case serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of excessive force and the need for accountability within our justice system. It is a tragedy that should never have happened, and one that we must learn from to prevent future tragedies from occurring.
