Florida Sheriff’s Deputy Charged with Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting of Black U.S. Air Force Airman

A Florida sheriff’s deputy has been charged with manslaughter with a firearm after the fatal shooting of a Black U.S. Air Force senior airman in Fort Walton Beach. The incident occurred when the deputy, Eddie Duran, responded to a domestic disturbance report at the airman’s apartment, which turned out to be false.

The victim, 23-year-old Roger Fortson, was holding a gun pointed toward the ground when he answered the door. Duran shot him multiple times before instructing him to drop the gun. Fortson, who had no criminal record, lived alone and was on a video call with his girlfriend at the time of the incident.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Fortson’s family, emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. The local NAACP president expressed satisfaction with the charges brought against Duran, highlighting the rarity of such cases in Florida.

Duran, a former military police officer, had a history of disciplinary issues during his time with the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office. He was terminated following an internal investigation that concluded his life was not in danger when he opened fire on Fortson.

The case has sparked discussions about the accountability of law enforcement officers in on-duty shootings. The U.S. Supreme Court’s “qualified immunity” doctrine has made it challenging to convict officers in such cases. However, the charges against Duran signal a shift towards increased scrutiny of law enforcement actions.

The tragic death of Roger Fortson has raised concerns about police conduct and the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement agencies. The community mourns the loss of a promising young airman and demands justice for his untimely death.