The Florida sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot U.S. Air Force senior airman Roger Fortson in his apartment has been fired following an internal affairs investigation. The sheriff’s office deemed the deputy’s use of deadly force as “not objectively reasonable,” as the airman had not committed any crime. Initially, the sheriff’s office had described the shooting as a case of self-defense, but the body camera footage showed a different story. The incident took place on May 3 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Deputy Eddie Duran, who responded to a physical disturbance call at the apartment complex, was directed to the wrong apartment by a worker at the complex. When Airman Fortson opened the door holding a gun that was pointed to the ground, the deputy immediately fired at him. The footage shows the deputy yelling at Airman Fortson to drop the gun after he had collapsed. The family and lawyers for the airman, including prominent attorney Ben Crump, have insisted that the deputy went to the wrong apartment. It remains unclear why the worker directed the deputy to Airman Fortson’s home.
Sheriff Eric Aden of Okaloosa County stated that the tragic incident should have never occurred and acknowledged that Airman Fortson, who was an exceptional airman and individual, did not commit any crime. The sheriff’s office had initially used language to justify the shooting as self-defense but later changed its stance after reviewing the body camera footage. The firing of Deputy Duran was seen as a step forward by Mr. Crump, who emphasized that the deputy’s actions were not just negligent but criminal. The criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still ongoing.
A lawyer for Mr. Duran did not immediately respond to a request for comment following his firing. The internal affairs investigation conducted by the sheriff’s office was separate from the ongoing criminal investigation. Mr. Crump released additional footage recorded by Airman Fortson’s girlfriend, which captured the moments following the shooting. In the footage, the airman is heard struggling to breathe, adding to the family’s grief and pain. Airman Fortson’s mother described him as a dedicated individual known as Mr. Make It Happen, who had joined the military to help his family.
The incident involving the fatal shooting of Airman Fortson has raised questions about police use of force and accountability. The unjustified killing of an unarmed individual in his own home has sparked outrage and calls for justice. The firing of Deputy Duran was seen as a small step in the right direction by the airman’s family and legal team. The case remains under investigation by law enforcement authorities, and the circumstances surrounding why the deputy was directed to the wrong apartment are still unclear. The tragic incident has shed light on the importance of transparency and accountability in policing.
