Law enforcement officials apprehended the former deputy sheriff who lethally shot a Black military airman at his residence.
A previous Okaloosa County deputy, Eddie Duran, aged 38, was apprehended on Monday as per authorities' announcements, facing charges of manslaughter with a firearm in connection to the May 3 shooting death of Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old senior airman from the US Air Force. This alleged act of violence was committed against a Black individual. The charge is considered a first-degree felony, which carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
Duran was admitted to the county jail on Monday, evidence confirming his arrest was obtained. This information was communicated to The Associated Press by Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille.
Marcille affirmed, during a phone call, that Duran voluntarily surrendered himself and that his initial court hearing would occur virtually on Tuesday morning. Marcille stated that Duran would remain in custody prior to his virtual court appearance.
An attorney representing Duran did not promptly provide a comment in response to an email requesting comment.
Officials claimed that Duran had been directed to Fortson's Fort Walton Beach apartment in response to a false domestic disturbance report. After multiple attempts at knocking, Fortson opened the door while keeping his gun at his side, aimed downward. Duran supposedly shot him multiple times, only then issuing the command to drop the weapon.
On the day that the charge was announced, candles and framed photos of Fortson in uniform were visible at the entrance of the apartment where he was killed.
The internal affairs report pertaining to the shooting stated that Duran informed investigators that he perceived hostility in Fortson's eyes when he opened the door. He claimed that he discharged his weapon because he believed he was about to be fired upon and would meet his demise.
After conducting an internal investigation, Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden dismissed Duran on May 31. External law enforcement experts contended that an officer cannot lethally engage a potential suspect holding a gun if no immediate threat is present.
Duran boasts a background in law enforcement, having initially served as a military police officer in the Army. He joined the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office in July 2019 but ultimately departed two years later, attributing his wife's transfer to a Naval hospital located outside of the area as the incentive for his departure. He chose to rejoin the sheriff’s office in June 2023.
Okaloosa County personnel records reveal that Duran was once reproached in 2021 for neglecting his responsibility to verify the addresses of three registered sex offenders by visiting their respective residences. He told a colleague that he was indifferent towards them. In the same year, he was also disciplined for leaving a high school prior to the final bell and the students' departure. According to Florida state law, an armed guard must be present on campus during classes.
911 call records indicate that deputies had never before been dispatched to Fortson's apartment, but they were summoned to a neighboring unit 10 times within the preceding 8 months, on one occasion due to a domestic disturbance.
Duran's legal team is expected to provide a response to the charges against him, considering that he and the US Air Force share a connection. The shooting incident, which resulted in Fortson's death, occurred within the premises where he was residing.
After being charged with manslaughter, Duran's initial court hearing will be held virtually, with him remaining in custody beforehand, given the gravity of the charges against him.
