The Verdict
A Florida jury has found Eddie Duran, 38, not guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Roger Fortson. The verdict was reached after only two hours of deliberation, ending the criminal trial surrounding the 2024 death of the US Air Force airman. If convicted, Duran could have faced up to 30 years in prison.
What Happened
Back in May 2024, deputies were dispatched to an apartment complex in Fort Walton Beach following a report of a domestic disturbance. The call was later determined to be false. Body camera footage captured the interaction: Duran knocked on the door repeatedly, and when Fortson opened it while holding a handgun at his side pointing toward the ground, Duran fired multiple times before ordering him to drop the weapon. Duran was subsequently fired from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
During the trial, the defense argued that Duran was simply doing his job. They claimed the outcome would have been different if Fortson hadn't been armed when he opened the door. For his part, Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, told local news she wasn't shocked by the swift verdict but noted the pain of being forced to relive the details of her son’s death.
Why it matters
While the criminal chapter has closed, the legal fight is highkey far from over. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump confirmed that the family is continuing a federal civil rights lawsuit to seek accountability. Real talk, the tragedy of losing a young airman to a false police call has left the family and community reeling, and now all eyes turn to the civil court system to see if there's any pathway for justice.
