A Florida sheriff made the decision to terminate a deputy who fatally shot a Black airman in his home while the airman was holding a handgun pointed at the ground. The sheriff emphasized that the deputy’s life was not in danger and that firing his weapon was unjustified.
Sheriff Eric Aden of Okaloosa County fired Deputy Eddie Duran, who shot Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3 after responding to a domestic violence call and being directed to Fortson’s apartment.
The body camera video reveals that when the deputy arrived outside Fortson’s door, he stood silently for 20 seconds and listened, but no voices inside were captured on his body camera.
After knocking on the door without identifying himself, the deputy moved away and then returned to the door, eventually shooting Fortson when he opened the door with his legally purchased gun by his side, pointing downwards.
The investigation determined that Fortson did not pose a threat and the former deputy’s use of deadly force was not justifiable.
Following the incident, Duran expressed emotions of fear and frustration, believing he was about to be shot.
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An ongoing criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is in progress.
Fortson, a member of the US Air Force, had a distinguished career and no prior criminal record. The sheriff’s decision to fire Deputy Duran was commended by the Okaloosa County NAACP president, Sabu Williams.
Further details of Duran’s military and law enforcement background were provided in the investigative report.
