Former Florida deputy sheriff Eddie Duran Jr. has been charged with manslaughter for the shooting death of U.S. Air Force serviceman Roger Fortson. The incident occurred on May 3 when Duran responded to a disturbance call at Fortson’s apartment complex in Fort Walton Beach. Fortson was seen holding a gun pointed towards the ground when he opened the door, but Duran allegedly shot him after instructing him to step back. Duran, who was fired in May after an internal investigation found his use of force to be unreasonable, has a background in military and law enforcement, with experience in crisis response and trauma counseling.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Fortson family, stated that charging Duran was the first step towards justice for Roger Fortson’s family. Fortson’s mother had been demanding charges against Duran, emphasizing the loss of her son and the need for accountability. If convicted, Duran could face up to 30 years in prison.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, which terminated Duran following the incident, expressed support for the decision and offered condolences to the Fortson family. The charges against Duran come amid ongoing scrutiny of law enforcement actions and accountability related to the use of deadly force. The Fortson family is hopeful that the legal process will bring them closure and justice for their lost loved one.
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