Former Florida Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested for Killing Black U.S. Air Force Airman

Former Florida sheriff’s deputy Eddie Duran was arrested on Monday for the shooting death of U.S. Air Force senior airman Roger Fortson. Duran, 38, was charged with manslaughter with a firearm in the May 3 incident where he shot Fortson multiple times after the airman answered his apartment door while holding a gun pointed toward the ground.

The tragic event unfolded when Duran responded to a false domestic disturbance report at Fortson’s Fort Walton Beach apartment. Despite Fortson holding his handgun at his side and pointed down, Duran opened fire before instructing him to drop the weapon.

The charge against Duran carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The arrest came after an internal investigation by the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office concluded that Duran’s life was not in danger when he shot Fortson.

Duran, a law enforcement veteran with a history of disciplinary issues, had resigned from the sheriff’s office in 2021 but rejoined in 2023. He had previously been reprimanded for neglecting his duties, including failing to confirm the addresses of registered sex offenders and leaving his post at a high school before the end of the school day.

The arrest of Duran has sparked outrage and calls for justice for Fortson, who was remembered by friends and family as a dedicated airman. The case has also raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers and the importance of de-escalation tactics in potentially dangerous situations.