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Florida Deputy Fired After Fatal Shooting Of U.S. Airman Roger Fortson
He was so young with a full life ahead of him. Roger Fortson was a dedicated 23-year-old U.S. Air ForceâNo. Letâs put respect on his status: Senior Airmanâ who never knew that opening his own home would end his life. Florida deputy Eddie Duran, who killed Fortson for answering the door while Black in a raid at the wrong address, was fired for the May 3 shooting.
A Tragic Night in Okaloosa County
As BOSSIP previously reported earlier this month, #RogerFortson was at home, Face-Timing with his girlfriend, when deputies from the Okaloosa County Sheriffâs Office arrived in response to a disturbance call. Major outlets such as AP News, shared the body cam footage. Deputy Eddie Duran knocked on Fortsonâs door and announced himself as law enforcement.
Fortson appeared at the door, holding a gun pointed towards the ground. Without hesitation, Duran fired multiple times, fatally wounding the airman with six shots. Fortson later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Deputy Eddie Duran Fired
Following an internal affairs investigation, Deputy Eddie Duran was fired from the Okaloosa County Sheriffâs Department. According to CNN, the investigation concluded that Duranâs use of deadly force was not âobjectively reasonableâ and violated agency policy.
Sheriff Eric Aden acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, âThis tragic incident should have never occurred. The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortsonâs actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.â
What was the immediate response following the situation? Of course, they placed the killer cop on paid leave while investigating.
A Step Toward Justice
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Fortson family, welcomed the firing but emphasized that it is only a partial victory.
âThe actions of this deputy were not just negligent, they were criminal,â Crump asserted. âJust as we did for Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, and Breonna Taylor, we will continue to fight for full justice and accountability for Roger Fortson, as well as every other innocent Black man and woman gunned down by law enforcement in the presumed safety of their own home.â
With a history of fighting for Black voices to be heard, Crumpâs hard work with the family is paying off. Duranâs termination is a great step, but thatâs not enough for a cop who fatally shot first (SIX TIMES) and asked questions later. #PutHimInJail
The Impact On Fortsonâs Family
The loss of Roger Fortson has deeply affected his family. NPR shares how his mother, Chantimekki Fortson, described the emotional toll the incident has taken, particularly on Fortsonâs nieces and nephews.
âWhen my grandkids see the police, they literally start vomiting,â she shared. âIâve taught them to respect the police because of the chaos that goes on and the fact that they get sick to their stomach, itâs crazy.â
WSB-TV spoke with Roger Fortsonâs family, highlighting a vigil held in his honor in the familyâs hometown: Atlanta. Family attorney Brian Barr highlighted Fortsonâs dedication to service, both to his family and his country.
âHe served his family, he served the country, served his friends,â Barr said. âAnd itâs just such a tragedy, from all angles that â living this life of service doing what he was told to do â he was killed because he opened the door.â
Saluting #RogerFortson for serving a country that doesnât always serve the very people who built it.
Community Outrage and Demand for Accountability
The shooting of Roger Fortson has reignited discussions about police brutality and the systemic issues that lead to such tragedies. At a news conference, Ben Crump played a recording of a police dispatch officer indicating that the disturbance call involved âa male and a female.â This information came via a fourth-party from the front desk of the apartment complex.
Crump criticized the sheriffâs department for not owning up to their mistakes.
âWhen you make a mistake, you own up to it. You donât try to justify killing a good guy. The Okaloosa Sheriffâs Department needs to own up to this. Tell the truth.â
Keep in mind, this is the same Sheriffâs Department that mistakenly fired at an unarmed man 22 times from the sound of an acorn. At least that Deputy immediately resigned. It shouldnât have to be all of this. Where is their training?
But again, the fight continues.
An Ongoing Investigation & A Call For Change
The investigation into Roger Fortsonâs death is still ongoing. Floridaâs Department of Law Enforcement is leading the investigation, and the state attorneyâs office will determine if any further action is taken. As the community rallies behind the Fortson family, the call for justice remains loud and clear.
The death of Roger Fortson reminds Black people of the dangers faced when met with law enforcement. Communities are standing in solidarity with the Fortson family as the fight for justice and systemic change continues.Â
Will it ever end�