At a press conference in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, this month, Chantemekki Fortson holds a picture of her son, Roger Fortson, a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force. (Photo credit: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)
June 01, 2024 Story by: Editor
A deputy in Florida was terminated by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office after fatally shooting Senior Airman Roger Fortson, an African American, at his residence. Sheriff Eric Aden stated that the deputy, Eddie Duran, had unnecessarily discharged his weapon, as his life was not under threat during the encounter.
Duran’s actions were scrutinized after he responded to a domestic violence call at Fortson’s apartment on May 3. Body camera footage revealed that Duran, upon arrival, remained outside Fortson’s door for approximately 20 seconds, listening for any activity inside. Despite multiple attempts to gain entry, Duran failed to identify himself clearly. When Fortson eventually opened the door with a legally owned firearm by his side, Duran immediately opened fire, causing fatal injuries to Fortson.
The subsequent investigation concluded that Fortson did not pose a threat to Duran, and the use of deadly force was unjustified. Sheriff Aden expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing that Fortson had not committed any crime and was highly regarded as an airman and individual.
Duran’s response to the shooting raised further questions. He reportedly expressed fear of being shot himself, leading him to strike a wall in frustration after the incident. A criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is ongoing.
Fortson, a member of the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, had an exemplary military record and no prior criminal history. The decision to terminate Duran’s employment was welcomed by Sabu Williams, president of the Okaloosa County NAACP, who acknowledged the importance of due diligence in such cases. Source: NBC Philadelphia
Duran, who served in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2014, had a background in military intelligence and law enforcement. Prior to joining the sheriff’s office, he had worked as a police officer and fire marshal in Oklahoma. Despite his military service, Duran’s actions in this incident led to his dismissal from the sheriff’s office.
