A former Florida sheriff's deputy, Eddie Duran, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of 23-year-old U.S. Air Force senior airman, Roger Fortson. The incident occurred on May 3 when Duran responded to a false domestic disturbance report at Fortson's Fort Walton Beach apartment.
According to authorities, Duran shot Fortson multiple times after Fortson opened the door while holding a handgun pointed down at his side. Duran only instructed Fortson to drop the gun after firing the shots. The charge of manslaughter with a firearm is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Duran, a law enforcement veteran who had previously served as a military police officer in the Army, joined the Okaloosa County sheriff's office in July 2019. He was fired by Sheriff Eric Aden on May 31 following an internal investigation that determined Duran's life was not in danger when he opened fire on Fortson.
Internal affairs reports revealed that Duran claimed to have seen aggression in Fortson's eyes when he opened the door, leading him to believe he was about to be shot. However, outside law enforcement experts have stated that an officer cannot shoot solely based on a suspect holding a gun without a perceived threat.
Records also show that Duran had been reprimanded in 2021 for failing to complete assignments related to registered sex offenders and for leaving his post at a high school before the end of the school day, violating Florida law that requires an armed guard to be present on campus during school hours.
The arrest of Duran comes after a series of incidents that have raised questions about law enforcement practices and the use of force in responding to potential threats. The case will now proceed through the legal system as Duran awaits his initial court appearance.
