Former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran, 38, has been charged with manslaughter for the May 3 shooting of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, a U.S. Air Force senior airman, who was killed after opening his apartment door while holding a gun pointed toward the ground. Duran was arrested on Monday, facing a first-degree felony charge that could result in up to 30 years in prison. Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille confirmed Duran's arrest, stating, "He did, in fact, turn himself in," and noted that his initial court appearance would be held via video link.
The tragic incident occurred when Duran responded to a domestic disturbance report at Fortson's Fort Walton Beach apartment, which turned out to be a false alarm. Video evidence shows that upon opening the door, Fortson, who was holding a handgun at his side, was shot multiple times by Duran within seconds. Authorities noted that Duran only instructed Fortson to drop the gun after shooting him. Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, shared the heartbreak of the event, revealing that her son’s girlfriend had "literally watched" the shooting via FaceTime, witnessing him "taking his last breath."
Duran, a law enforcement veteran who previously served as a military police officer in the Army, was fired on May 31 by Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden. An internal investigation determined that Duran's life was not in danger when he opened fire, contradicting Duran's claim that he shot because he believed he was about to be killed. Outside experts also emphasized that officers cannot legally shoot merely because a suspect is holding a gun if there is no imminent threat.
Duran’s personnel records reveal a history of disciplinary issues, including neglecting assignments and leaving his post early while serving as a high school on-campus deputy.
Despite this, he was rehired by the sheriff's office in June 2023, a year before the fatal shooting of Fortson. The shooting has raised significant concerns about law enforcement practices and accountability.
Link: CBSNews
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