Authorities arrest ex-sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a Black airman at his home

And we know it was at the wrong apartment. We know that are male and female. It's all fourth party information. I think the front desk at the least thing I that's important for two reasons. Number one, the police already know before they get that. They've been told that where the disturbance is that there's *** male and *** female and that they are getting their information from the front desk at the leasing office and it's as his mother and father and everybody continues to say his girlfriend, Roger was in his apartment by himself. We have to call them to account because if we don't do it, they won't do it anything. And so people who criticize us talking about, we're doing the rest of judgment, not doing anything. How has that worked out for black people in America? So that's why we're here demanding justice for Roger Folson chef Eden looked me in my face and told me if he sees anything wrong that he put it on his mama, that he would apologize. Well, put it on your mama because I'm standing right here

A former Florida sheriff’s deputy charged with killing a Black U.S. Air Force senior airman who answered his apartment door while holding a gun pointed toward the ground was arrested Monday, officials said.Former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran, 38, was charged with manslaughter with a firearm in the May 3 shooting death of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille announced Friday. The charge is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.Duran was booked into the county jail Monday, records show. Marcille confirmed his arrest to The Associated Press.“He did, in fact, turn himself in,” Marcille said in a telephone interview, adding that Duran's initial court appearance will be via video link Tuesday morning. “He will be held in custody pending his initial appearance.”An attorney representing Duran did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.Authorities say Duran had been directed to Fortson’s Fort Walton Beach apartment in response to a domestic disturbance report that turned out to be false.After repeated knocking, Fortson opened the door while holding his handgun at his side, pointed down. Authorities say that Duran shot him multiple times; only then did he tell Fortson to drop the gun.On Friday, the day the charge was announced, candles and framed photos of Fortson in uniform graced the doorway of the apartment where he was killed.Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden fired Duran on May 31 after an internal investigation concluded his life was not in danger when he opened fire.Duran is a law enforcement veteran, starting as a military police officer in the Army. He joined the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office in July 2019, but resigned two years later, saying his wife, a nurse, had been transferred to a Naval hospital out of the area. He rejoined the sheriff’s office in June 2023.Okaloosa personnel records show he was reprimanded in 2021 for not completing his assignment to confirm the addresses of three registered sex offenders by visiting their homes, telling a colleague he didn’t care about them. Then assigned to a high school as its on-campus deputy, he was also disciplined that year for leaving the school before the final bell and the students’ departure. Florida law requires that an armed guard be on campus when class is in session.Records of 911 calls show deputies had never been called to Fortson’s apartment previously but they had been summoned to a nearby unit 10 times in the previous eight months, including once for a domestic disturbance.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. —

Former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran, 38, was charged with manslaughter with a firearm in the May 3 shooting death of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille announced Friday. The charge is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Duran was booked into the county jail Monday, records show. Marcille confirmed his arrest to The Associated Press.

“He did, in fact, turn himself in,” Marcille said in a telephone interview, adding that Duran's initial court appearance will be via video link Tuesday morning. “He will be held in custody pending his initial appearance.”

An attorney representing Duran did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Authorities say Duran had been directed to Fortson’s Fort Walton Beach apartment in response to a domestic disturbance report that turned out to be false.

After repeated knocking, Fortson opened the door while holding his handgun at his side, pointed down. Authorities say that Duran shot him multiple times; only then did he tell Fortson to drop the gun.

On Friday, the day the charge was announced, candles and framed photos of Fortson in uniform graced the doorway of the apartment where he was killed.

Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden fired Duran on May 31 after an internal investigation concluded his life was not in danger when he opened fire.

Duran is a law enforcement veteran, starting as a military police officer in the Army. He joined the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office in July 2019, but resigned two years later, saying his wife, a nurse, had been transferred to a Naval hospital out of the area. He rejoined the sheriff’s office in June 2023.

Okaloosa personnel records show he was reprimanded in 2021 for not completing his assignment to confirm the addresses of three registered sex offenders by visiting their homes, telling a colleague he didn’t care about them. Then assigned to a high school as its on-campus deputy, he was also disciplined that year for leaving the school before the final bell and the students’ departure. Florida law requires that an armed guard be on campus when class is in session.

Records of 911 calls show deputies had never been called to Fortson’s apartment previously but they had been summoned to a nearby unit 10 times in the previous eight months, including once for a domestic disturbance.

Authorities arrest ex-sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a Black airman at his home

Share

Share

GET NATIONAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

Share

Top Picks