FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A Florida jury on Thursday acquitted former Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy Eddie Duran of manslaughter with a firearm in the 2024 fatal shooting of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson, ending a case that fueled a national debate over race and police use of force.
The jury deliberated about two hours after a four-day trial before returning the verdict, the Associated Press reported. Duran, 38, had faced up to 30 years in prison.
On May 3, 2024, Duran responded to a domestic-disturbance call at Fortson’s apartment near Hurlburt Field — a call that turned out to be false. Fortson, 23, was alone and on the phone with his girlfriend. Body-camera video showed Duran banging on the door and shouting, “Sheriff’s office! Open the door!” Fortson opened the door holding a handgun pointed at the floor; Duran fired multiple shots at close range, shouting “Drop the gun!” Fortson died later at a hospital.
Fortson was a missions operator with the 4th Special Operations Squadron, serving on AC-130J Ghostrider aircrew, according to the Air Force. A month after the shooting, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden fired Duran, saying his use of deadly force was “not objectively reasonable.”
Reactions to the verdict split along familiar lines. Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Fortson’s family, vowed to “seek accountability,” according to Reuters. Duran’s defense attorney said the deputy was “doing his job” and argued Fortson would be alive had he not armed himself before opening the door.
The State Attorney’s office urged the public to respond to the verdict “peacefully,” saying it respected the jury’s decision. Fortson’s family could still pursue civil litigation, a path Crump has frequently taken in similar cases.
