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A Florida sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed Air Force special operations Senior Airman Roger Fortson in his apartment in May will face a manslaughter charge, according to the family’s attorney.
Natalie Jackson, a lawyer for the Fortson family and a member of civil rights attorney Ben Crump’s legal team, confirmed to Military.com on Friday that she had been informed by the local state attorney’s office that former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran will be charged in connection with Fortson’s death.
“This decision marks the first step toward justice for the family of Roger Fortson,” Crump said in a statement to Military.com. “Nothing can ever bring Roger back, and our fight is far from over, but we are hopeful that these charges will result in a conviction and real justice for the Fortson family.”
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Crump said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Duran could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Fortson, who was stationed at Hurlburt Field, was shot six times by Duran on May 3 when the officer responded to a call at the 23-year-old’s apartment complex. Duran began firing shortly after Fortson opened his door when the deputy saw the airman had his legally owned firearm to his side and pointed toward the floor.
Duran, an Army veteran,…
