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Fired Deputy Acquitted in Shooting of Black Airman
Newser • • nation
Key Points:
- Eddie Duran, a former Florida sheriff's deputy, was acquitted of manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of US Air Force airman Roger Fortson during a domestic disturbance call in May 2024.
- The shooting, captured on body camera, showed Fortson holding what appeared to be a handgun; Duran claimed self-defense, but was later fired after an internal investigation found his life was not in danger.
- Fortson, a Black airman assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, died at the hospital after the incident, which stemmed from a false domestic disturbance report.
- The State Attorney's office accepted the jury's verdict, acknowledging the difficulty and pain the outcome causes, especially amid national concerns about law enforcement encounters.
- Fortson's family, represented by attorney Ben Crump, expressed deep heartbreak over the verdict and has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Duran and others involved.
