A circuit court judge granted a former Florida deputy $100,000 bond for pre-trial release on Thursday in connection with the shooting death of U.S. Air Force Sr. Airman Roger Fortson who was killed in his own home in May.
Eddie Duran, 38, was denied pretrial release in his first court appearance on Tuesday at the Okaloosa County Circuit Court. In Thursday’s hearing, Duran, who appeared before a judge, avoided the $250,000 bond amount asked by the state, but was denied the $10,000 requested by his attorneys, according to local ABC affiliate WEAR.
The Okaloosa County Circuit Court ruled that Duran cannot possess any firearms, come into contact with Fortson’s family or leave the First Judicial Circuit area of Florida, WEAR reported. The court did not require Duran to wear a GPS monitor, the report noted.
Duran’s arrest on Monday came after the Florida state attorney filed one count of manslaughter with a firearm against him last Friday. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.
Fortson, 23, was in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on May 3 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, police said.
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
In body-worn 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.
The deputy said he saw Fortson armed with a gun and claimed 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.
“We believe very strongly that he’s entitled to a good defense, and we look forward to our day in court,” Smith, who joined the case as part of the defense team for the nonprofit Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association, told ABC News in a phone call prior to the hearing on Thursday. “We strongly dispute the decision by the office of the state attorney to file on this case. Our view of the evidence does not support that he committed a crime defending himself, standing his ground while trying to enforce the law.”
Duran was terminated in May, according to a May 31 sheriff’s department statement obtained by ABC News.
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 when the shooting occurred.
“We continue to wish Mr. Fortson’s family comfort and peace, as the former deputy’s criminal case proceeds,” the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office previously told ABC News in a statement. “We stand by our decision to terminate Mr. Duran as a result of the administrative internal affairs investigation that found his use of force was not objectively reasonable.”
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.
Fortson’s family said in a statement to ABC News last 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 it can say because there is still an ongoing investigation.
ABC News’ Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report
In a recent court hearing, a former deputy was granted a $100,000 bond in connection to the fatal shooting of Airman Roger Fortson. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers.
The shooting occurred on a quiet residential street in a small town, where Fortson was visiting family. According to witnesses, the former deputy approached Fortson’s vehicle and asked him to step out. An altercation ensued, and the deputy fired his weapon, fatally wounding Fortson.
The former deputy claims that he feared for his life and acted in self-defense. However, Fortson’s family and supporters argue that the shooting was unjustified and that Fortson posed no threat to the deputy.
The granting of a $100,000 bond in this case has raised concerns about the fairness of the judicial system and whether the former deputy will face appropriate consequences for his actions. Many believe that the bond amount is too low given the severity of the crime and the loss of life involved.
The case has also reignited discussions about police accountability and the need for greater transparency and oversight in law enforcement agencies. Critics argue that incidents like this highlight the need for better training and stricter guidelines for officers when using deadly force.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community is left grappling with the tragic loss of Airman Roger Fortson and seeking justice for his untimely death. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for how law enforcement officers are held accountable for their actions and how justice is served in cases of police-involved shootings.
