Ex-deputy charged with manslaughter in shooting death of Roger Fortson

FORT WALTON BEACH — The former Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputy who shot and killed U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson is being charged with manslaughter with a firearm .

According to a news release from the State Attorney's Office, an arrest warrant has been issued for former Deputy Eddie Duran. State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden's office said Duran could face a 30-year prison term if convicted as charged.

The shooting occurred on May 3. Duran responded to an apparent disturbance call at Fortson's apartment complex. Duran arrived on the scene and knocked on Fortson's apartment door. Fortson opened the door while holding a gun in his right hand and pointed at the ground. Duran opened fire.

In a statement, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office continued to wish the Fortson family comfort and peace as the criminal case begins.

"The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) 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. Forston’s family and legal counsel, and communicating openly with the U.S. Air Force and our community at-large," the statement says.

"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."

Related coverage: Former deputy Eddie Duran charged in death of airman Roger Fortson. Here's what we know.

The attorney for the Fortson family, Ben Crump, also commented, saying that this decision is the first step toward justice for the Fortson family.

"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," Crump said in a release. "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.”

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Ex-deputy charged with manslaughter in shooting death of Roger Fortson