On May 3, 2024, Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old United States Air Force Senior Airman, was fatally shot in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, by Deputy Eddie Duran of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred when Deputy Duran responded to a reported domestic disturbance at Fortson's apartment complex, which was later determined to be a false report.
Upon arriving at Fortson's apartment, Deputy Duran knocked on the door without initially announcing himself.
After a brief pause, he knocked again and announced, "Sheriff’s office, open the door." This process was repeated, with Duran moving to the side of the door each time. Fortson, who was on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend, heard the knocks but did not see anyone through the peephole and armed himself, believing someone was breaking in.
When Fortson opened the door, he was holding his legally purchased handgun at his side, pointed downwards. Deputy Duran immediately told Fortson to "step back" and then fired multiple shots, resulting in Fortson falling to the ground. Only after shooting Fortson did the deputy instruct him to "drop the gun.".
The body camera footage and subsequent investigations revealed that Fortson did not make any hostile or attacking movements towards the deputy. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office conducted an administrative internal affairs investigation, which concluded that Duran's use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable and violated agency policy. As a result, Deputy Duran was fired by the end of May 2024.
The case gained significant attention, with Fortson's family and their attorney, Benjamin Crump, criticizing the sheriff's initial account of the incident. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also conducted a criminal investigation, which led to the arrest of Eddie Duran on August 23, 2024. He was charged with one count of manslaughter with a firearm, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Fortson was taken to a hospital where he died. The incident has been widely condemned, with many, including local congressman Matt Gaetz, stating that Fortson did nothing wrong and that the shooting was unjustifiable. Hundreds attended Fortson's funeral, showing their respect for the slain airman.
On August 29, 2024, a judge allowed bond for former Deputy Eddie Duran, who faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the manslaughter charge.
