A former Florida sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a 23-year-old airman from DeKalb County when he answered his front door holding a pistol has been charged with manslaughter, officials said.
Former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran was charged Friday by the state’s attorney, a prosecutor told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday. Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said a warrant was issued for Duran’s arrest. He has yet to turn himself in.
Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office showed Duran fatally shooting senior airman Roger Fortson at his apartment while responding to what authorities said was a disturbance at the complex in Fort Walton Beach.
Credit: Michael A. McCoy
Fortson was holding a gun when he answered his door, but the weapon was by his side and pointed at the ground when the deputy opened fire. Fortson, who graduated from DeKalb’s McNair High School in 2019, was home alone with his small, white dog, Chloe, according to his family.