Florida deputy kills airman in his own home amid false report of disturbance
- Eddie Duran, a former Florida sheriff's deputy, fatally shot Airman Roger Fortson in a mistaken response to a false domestic disturbance report.
- The incident, which occurred at Fortson's apartment, has sparked outrage and led to plans for a civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force and failures in law enforcement training.
- The shooting raises critical questions about police actions and accountability in the context of violence against Black individuals at home.
In May 2024, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, a shooting incident led to the tragic death of 23-year-old U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson. The former Okaloosa County sheriff's deputy, Eddie Duran, was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance that turned out to be false. Upon arrival, Duran pounded on Fortson's door and yelled for him to open it. When Fortson, holding a legally purchased firearm, opened the door, Duran immediately began firing, stating 'drop the gun' only after he had already shot Fortson. This violent confrontation and the circumstances surrounding it have drawn significant public attention and outrage, particularly given that Fortson was unarmed at the time of the shooting. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced plans to file a lawsuit against Duran and others involved, claiming the deputy employed excessive and unconstitutional force. The lawsuit aims to hold accountable not only Duran but also the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office for alleged failures in training and supervision. Furthermore, it targets the apartment complex for providing misleading information that may have contributed to the response by law enforcement. Duran, who identified as Hispanic and has a military background, was previously hired as a military police officer before joining the Okaloosa County sheriff's office. He had past interactions with the law enforcement community, but he had been terminated following Fortson's death due to an internal investigation, which concluded that his life was not in danger when he opened fire. He was charged with manslaughter and is currently out on bond as the criminal case progresses. The family's attorney and Fortson's mother expressed their demands for accountability and justice, indicating a broader issue related to police conduct and killings of unarmed Black individuals. The aftermath of this tragic incident has intensified discussions surrounding police training and the handling of domestic disturbance calls, raising concerns regarding safety and justice not only for Fortson’s family but for the larger community as well.