Ex-Florida deputy charged with manslaughter in killing of Air Force airman in his apartment

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Fired Okaloosa County, Fla., sheriff's deputy Eddie Duran was charged with manslaughter Friday in the shooting of Air Force senior airman Roger Fortson, who was killed in his own apartment.

Okaloosa County chief assistant state's attorney Gregory Anchors confirmed the manslaughter charge against Duran. It carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

State Attorney Ginger Brown Madden said an arrest warrant for Duran was issued.

Madden's office said in a Friday statement, "State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden announced today that a direct information has been filed charging former Okaloosa County Deputy Sheriff Eddie Lee Duran Jr. with one count of manslaughter with a firearm."

The charge arises from an incident on May 3, 2024, that resulted in Fortson's death.

Duran is charged in the Circuit Court of Oklaloosa County.

Duran was fired May 31 for killing Fortson seconds after Fortson opened his apartment door. Fortson was holding a legal handgun at the time but did not point the weapon at the deputy.

The deputy was at the door responding on a call when he shot Fortson to death May 4.

Sheriff Eric Aden said in a statement when the deputy was fired, "This tragic incident should have never occurred ."

Ben Crump, the lawyer representing Fortson's family, in a statement when Duran was fired that, "The actions of this deputy were not just negligent, they were criminal."

Crump said video footage "provides damning proof that this was a brutal and senseless killing of a young man who was simply enjoying time alone with his dog while video chatting with his girlfriend."