Florida jury acquits former deputy in fatal shooting of Black airman

An Okaloosa County jury found former sheriff’s deputy Eddie Duran not guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the fatal shooting of US Air Force airman Roger Fortson inside his apartment.

Jurors deliberated for about two hours after a four-day trial. Duran, 38, could have faced up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Shooting inside Fortson’s apartment

Duran was serving with the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office in May 2024 when he went to Fortson’s apartment in Fort Walton Beach after a report of a domestic disturbance. Authorities said the report was unfounded.

After Duran knocked repeatedly, Fortson opened the door holding a handgun at his side and pointing it toward the floor. Authorities said Duran fired multiple shots before ordering Fortson to drop the weapon. The encounter was recorded on the deputy’s body camera.

Duran was fired after the shooting. His defense attorney argued that the former deputy was “doing his job” and said Fortson would still be alive if he had not armed himself before answering the door.

Family pursues federal civil case

A day after the acquittal, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Fortson’s family would continue seeking accountability through the civil court system. A federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the family remains pending.

Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, told Atlanta outlet WXIA that she was not surprised by the verdict, pointing to the jury’s brief deliberations. She said the trial also forced her to confront details of her son’s death that she had tried to avoid for two years.