Family Seeks Charges for Airman Killed by Deputy

More than three months after the fatal shooting of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson by a Florida sheriff’s deputy, his family and attorney are urging prosecutors to decide on potential charges against the former lawman. At a recent news conference, civil rights attorney Ben Crump expressed frustration over the prolonged investigation, emphasizing that the incident was captured on body camera footage. He criticized the delay, suggesting it reflects a broader issue of accountability in cases involving Black individuals in America. Fortson, 23, was shot on May 3 by Okaloosa County sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The body camera footage revealed that Fortson, who was holding a handgun pointed toward the floor, was killed within seconds of opening his apartment door. Following the incident, Sheriff Eric Aden terminated Duran’s employment, stating that the deputy's actions were unjustified and that his life was not in danger at the time of the shooting. An internal investigation by the sheriff’s office concluded that Fortson did not exhibit any threatening behavior, rendering Duran’s use of deadly force "not objectively reasonable." Crump announced that authorities are expected to make a decision regarding charges by August 23, as indicated by a senior official in the state attorney’s office. However, neither State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden nor her staff provided comments on the matter. Crump urged the state’s attorney to take decisive action, asserting that all necessary information is available to proceed with charges against Duran.