Full Breakdown
Jury Acquits Former Okaloosa Deputy in 2024 Shooting of Air Force Airman
By Drooid · · How we work
Verdict and Incident Overview
An eight-person jury found former Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy Eddie Duran not guilty of manslaughter with a firearm for the fatal shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson. The verdict, delivered after roughly two hours of deliberation in early October 2026, means the State Attorney’s Office did not meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Duran had faced a maximum sentence of 30 years.
Background & Context
On May 3, 2024, deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance at the Elan Apartments in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Fortson, a 23-year-old Air Force senior airman, was alone in his apartment and speaking with his girlfriend when Duran arrived. Body-camera footage shows Duran knocking, announcing himself, and firing five shots moments after Fortson opened the door while holding a legally owned handgun pointed toward the floor. Fortson died of his injuries at a local medical center.
Timeline
- May 3, 2024 – Shooting occurs; Fortson is shot and later dies.
- May 31, 2024 – Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office terminates Duran after an internal investigation finds his use of force “not objectively reasonable.”
- May 9, 2024 – Fortson’s family holds a news conference with civil-rights attorney Ben Crump.
- May 17, 2024 – Fortson’s funeral is held in Atlanta.
- Early October 2026 – Jury returns a not-guilty verdict.
Data & Statistics
- Age of victim: 23 years.
- Charges: One count of manslaughter with a firearm; potential penalty up to 30 years.
- Shots fired: Five rounds struck Fortson.
- Deputy’s age at time of incident: 38 years.
- Firearm status: Fortson’s handgun was legally owned and was pointed at the ground when the door opened.
Official Statements & Responses
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said the jury’s decision does not diminish Fortson’s life or service and expressed sympathy for his family. Assistant state attorney Mark Alderman argued that Fortson posed “no threat,” emphasizing the gun’s downward orientation and Fortson’s raised left arm. Defense attorney Rod Smith contended that Duran acted in accordance with training, noting officers are not taught to wait until a weapon is aimed before responding to an imminent threat. Duran testified he believed he was about to be shot, describing the sight of Fortson’s gun as an “upward angle” that triggered a self-defensive response.
Criticism & Opposition
Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Fortson’s family, called the verdict “incredibly hard” and pledged to continue pursuing the pending federal civil-rights lawsuit. He urged accountability through the civil courts.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The dispute centers on whether Fortson’s firearm constituted an imminent threat. Prosecutors highlighted video evidence showing the gun pointed at the floor and Fortson’s raised arm as a protective gesture. The defense emphasized Duran’s perception of danger, citing his testimony that the gun’s angle and Fortson’s eyes conveyed aggression. No definitive forensic analysis of the gun’s orientation beyond the video is presented, leaving the threat assessment unresolved.
What’s Next
A five-count federal civil-rights lawsuit filed by Fortson’s family in May 2025 remains pending. The plaintiffs seek accountability from Duran, former Sheriff Eric Aden, and other officials. The State Attorney’s Office has indicated it will respect the jury’s decision while continuing to monitor the civil proceedings.