Ex-Florida deputy jailed in shooting death of a Black U.S. airman, court records show
A fired sheriff’s deputy is behind bars months after the shooting death of Roger Fortson, a Black U.S. Air Force airman who heard someone incessantly pounding on his apartment door in the Florida Panhandle in May when he answered it holding a gun that was pointed downward — only to get hit with a barrage of bullets moments later, court records show.
On Tuesday morning, Eddie Duran Jr. had his first court appearance to face a charge of manslaughter with a firearm following his arrest the day prior, records show. The rare charge against a Florida law enforcement officer is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
He was booked into the Okaloosa County jail Monday afternoon. It’s not clear yet whether he was issued a bond.
READ MORE: Black airman shot to death by a Florida deputy who blitzed wrong apartment: attorneys
Fortson’s family and attorney, Ben Crump, released a statement Friday on Duran’s criminal charge, emphasizing the “unnecessary use of force” and that justice is beginning to be served.
“This decision marks the first step towards justice for the family of Roger Fortson,” the statement read. “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. 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.”
Duran was terminated from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for his alleged actions in late May. At the time, Sheriff Eric Aden decried Duran’s unnecessary use of force.
“The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions,” he said. “Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.”
On May 3, Duran was called to an apartment complex after a possible “physical disturbance” was reported. After being told which unit, the deputy went to the apartment. What happened next, which was recorded on the deputy’s body cam, led to Fortson’s death.
READ MORE: Black airman shot to death by a Florida deputy who blitzed wrong apartment: attorneys
According to the sheriff’s office’s “objective facts,” Doran waited at Fortson’s door and listened for sounds of the possible “disturbance.” Hearing nothing, he knocked without announcing he was a deputy with the sheriff’s office.
Doran said he heard “something to the effect of it’s the (expletive) police.” Doran knocked loudly two more times, this time announcing himself.
When Forston opened the door, Doran saw him holding a gun in his right hand. The gun was pointed at the ground “sufficiently enough for the former deputy to clearly see the rear face of the rear sight,” according to the sheriff’s office’s account.
Almost immediately after opening the door, Doran shot him six times.
In its finding, the sheriff’s office concluded Fortson did not physically resist in any way and did not point the gun at Doran, which was seen on earlier released body camera footage.
This story was originally published August 27, 2024 at 8:21 PM.
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