Deputy Eddie Duran of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has been terminated after an internal investigation into the deadly shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson.
Sheriff Eric Aden stated that the "objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson's actions."
The investigation concluded that Duran's use of deadly force was not reasonable, and he was subsequently terminated from his position.
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In addition to the internal investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has also initiated a separate investigation into the incident. This independent probe aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the events that led to Fortson's tragic death.
On May 3rd, Deputy Eddie Duran of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a disturbance in progress at the apartment complex where Senior Airman Roger Fortson resided. According to the sheriff's office, a neighbor had called the dispatcher, reporting what they believed to be a physical altercation between a man and a woman in Fortson's unit.
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Duran arrived at the scene and, without announcing his identity, knocked on Fortson's door. When Fortson opened the door, he was holding a gun at his side, pointed downward. Despite Fortson not aiming the weapon or resisting the deputy, Duran opened fire, fatally shooting the 23-year-old airman.
The news of Senior Airman Roger Fortson's death has sent shockwaves through his family and the local community. Fortson's family has retained the services of renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, known for his work in high-profile cases involving police violence.
During a news conference held on May 9th, Fortson's family and their legal team expressed their grief and outrage over the incident. They claimed that Fortson had been on a video call with his girlfriend when he heard a disturbance and thought someone was trying to break into his apartment. The family believes that the deputy responded to the wrong apartment, leading to the fatal encounter.
The community has also rallied in support of Fortson and his family, demanding accountability and justice for the young airman's untimely death.
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