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Roger Fortson

Gender : Male

Age : 23

Race : Black

Date : 05/03/2024

Location : 319 Racetrack Road

City : Fort Walton Beach

County : Okaloosa

State : Florida

Agency : Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Eddie Duran

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Shot and killed in his home by deputy

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 05/03/2024, 23-year-old Roger Fortson, an active-duty U.S. Air Force serviceman stationed at Hurlburt Field, was fatally shot in his apartment at 319 Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Deputy Eddie Duran of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office was responding to a disturbance call unrelated to Fortson when he knocked on Fortson's door. Fortson, who was on a FaceTime call at the time, retrieved his legally owned firearm for self-defense and opened the door with the gun pointed downward. Deputy Duran immediately fired six shots, striking Fortson. Fortson was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
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An internal investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office concluded that Duran’s actions were "not objectively reasonable" and violated departmental policies. Duran was terminated from his position on 05/31/2024. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Fortson's family, stated that Fortson was a legal gun owner with no criminal record, acting to defend himself in his home. Crump and human rights advocates have highlighted potential racial bias and the use of excessive force in the incident, calling for accountability.
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On 08/25/2024, Eddie Duran was charged with manslaughter with a firearm, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He was arrested and later released on a $100,000 bond. Fortson’s family, represented by Crump, is pursuing justice and pushing for systemic changes to prevent similar incidents.
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Roger Fortson, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, was a decorated U.S. Air Force member serving in the 4th Special Operations Squadron. Known for his dedication and integrity, he had recently returned from an overseas mission. The case has drawn widespread attention, with advocates and community leaders emphasizing the need for transparency and justice in police interactions, particularly concerning racial disparities.

NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality.
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Last Update: 12/04/2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/body-camera-video-roger-fortson-shooting-death-florida-deputies-us-airman/85-bf163aaf-b7c9-46b0-a827-b579e58befca
https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/i-cant-breathe-airman-alone-in-apartment-and-on-facetime-shot-6-times-by-deputy-who-burst-through-the-door-of-wrong-address-lawyer-alleges/
https://www.sheriff-okaloosa.org/okaloosa-county-sheriffs-office-releases-administrative-internal-affairs-investigation-into-the-fatal-deputy-involved-shooting-of-roger-fortson-2/
https://apnews.com/article/airman-killed-roger-fortson-deputy-charged-florida-850414e0baea006d36f2ed9b2f4a385d
https://www.newsweek.com/roger-fortson-shooting-eddie-duran-florida-deputy-manslaughter-1943700
https://www.the-sun.com/news/11324139/who-roger-fortson-airman-death/
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BWC:
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQeSnL3ncxE