Manslaughter Charge To Be Filed Against Florida Deputy in Fatal Shooting of Airman Roger Fortson

Manslaughter Charge Will Be Filed Against Florida Deputy for Fatal Shooting of Airman Roger FortsonPhoto byUS Air Force Alamogordo Town News

Natalie Jackson, a lawyer for the Fortson family and a member of civil rights attorney Ben Crump's legal team, confirmed in reporting released by Military.com that she had been informed by the local state attorney's office that former Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy Eddie Duran will be charged in connection with Fortson's death.

Fortson, who was stationed at Hurlburt Field, was shot six times by Duran on May 3 when the officer responded to a call at the 23-year-old's apartment complex. Deputy Duran began firing shortly after Fortson opened his door when the deputy saw the airman had his legally owned firearm to his side and pointed toward the floor.

Duran, an Army veteran, was fired in late May after an internal affairs investigation determined that his "use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable and therefore violated agency policy."

The Office of State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida said in a press release issued Friday that the former deputy was being charged with "one count of manslaughter with a firearm" and that there was a warrant issued for his arrest.

"This charge arises from an incident on May 3, 2024, that resulted in the shooting death of Roger Fortson," the release said.

In a Friday statement titled "Indictment of Eddie Duran," the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said the department "has been fully accountable and transparent in its compliance with statutory requirements, providing numerous public statements, making accessible the available body-worn camera footage and other related records, meeting with Mr. Fortson's family and legal counsel, and communicating openly with the U.S. Air Force and our community at-large."

Fortson's death sent grief throughout the military community and led to a major outpouring of support from Air Force Special Operations Command. In the wake of his death, members of the command attended his funeral and held a public forum, where Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden received tough questions and criticisms from airmen.