Fort Walton Beach, Florida – A sheriff in the Florida Panhandle has recently made the decision to dismiss a deputy who fatally shot an airman in his home. The incident occurred after the deputy, responding to a domestic violence call, fatally shot Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, at his apartment. The airman, who was holding his legally owned gun with it pointed at the ground, was shot multiple times by the deputy two seconds after opening the door. Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden stated that the deputy’s life was not in danger at the time of the shooting and that the use of deadly force was not warranted.
The sheriff’s internal affairs investigation found that Fortson did not display any hostile or threatening behavior before the shooting, leading to the conclusion that the deputy’s actions were not justified. External law enforcement experts also highlighted that an officer cannot shoot simply because a person is holding a gun without there being an actual threat. The investigation is ongoing, with no criminal charges having been filed yet.
Despite the lack of criminal charges, the firing of Deputy Eddie Duran was seen as a step forward by attorney Ben Crump, who represents Fortson’s family. However, he emphasized that more should be done to achieve full justice for the victim and his loved ones. The president of the Okaloosa County NAACP expressed appreciation for the sheriff’s actions, noting that while progress has been made, further steps are necessary.
Duran, a law enforcement veteran who had previously resigned from the sheriff’s office before rejoining, justified his actions by claiming he feared for his life when he saw aggression in Fortson’s eyes. However, the body camera footage did not show any hostile behavior from the airman before the shooting. Fortson, who served as a special missions aviator at Hurlburt Field, had no criminal record and was not involved in any criminal activity at the time of the incident.
The tragic events leading to Fortson’s death began with a call from a concerned tenant in the apartment complex, reporting what sounded like an argument coming from Fortson’s apartment. The subsequent actions of the deputy, including the use of deadly force against the unarmed airman, have raised questions about proper police procedures and the use of force in law enforcement encounters. As the investigation continues, community members and advocates are calling for transparency, accountability, and justice for Roger Fortson and his family.