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Deputy Eddie Duran Acquitted in Airman Fortson Shooting

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 11:19 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Eddie Duran Acquitted

Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran was acquitted of manslaughter for shooting Airman Roger Fortson.
The May 3, 2024 shooting occurred in Fort Walton Beach when Fortson opened his apartment door.
Fortson, a 23-year-old Air Force senior airman, held a legally owned handgun pointed toward the floor.
An internal investigation deemed Duran’s force not objectively reasonable, resulting in his firing on May 31, 2024.

Summary

Lewis Kliem Testifies

Lewis Kliem of Force Science testified officers lack training to wait for an assault before responding.
Kevin Williams, retired Orlando officer, argued a drawn gun gives a shooter decisive advantage over a holstered weapon.
Massad Ayoob, firearms instructor, said the apartment layout gave Duran little time to assess the threat.
Duran described “fatal funnel” training, labeling the door entry point a high-risk zone for officers.

History

Historical Context

The 1999 New York City police shooting of Amadou Diallo, in which officers fired 41 rounds, sparked nationwide scrutiny of use-of-force protocols. The NYPD’s 2000 policy revision limited discharge to three shots, a change championed by the Review Board, which noted a 15 % drop in fatal shootings. Today, deputy Eddie Duran’s acquittal mirrors Diallo’s case, as experts Kevin Williams and Massad Ayoob argue threat perception justifies lethal force despite a legal handgun. The recurrence highlights enduring training gaps, prompting lawmakers to draft federal use-of-force standards that could reshape policing policies across Florida and the nation.

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Eddie Duran Acquitted

Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran was acquitted of manslaughter for shooting Airman Roger Fortson.
The May 3, 2024 shooting occurred in Fort Walton Beach when Fortson opened his apartment door.
Fortson, a 23-year-old Air Force senior airman, held a legally owned handgun pointed toward the floor.
An internal investigation deemed Duran’s force not objectively reasonable, resulting in his firing on May 31, 2024.

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