The recent firing of a Florida deputy who shot and killed Senior Airman Roger Fortson has sparked a demand for justice beyond the dismissal. Chantemekki Fortson, the mother of the deceased airman, expressed at a news conference in Atlanta that the termination of Okaloosa County Deputy Eddie Duran is insufficient, a sentiment echoed by her lawyer, Ben Crump. “Let’s be clear, that is not justice,” Chantemekki Fortson declared, as reported by WABE. Duran was fired following an internal investigation that found his use of deadly force unjustifiable, as Fortson had not exhibited hostile or attacking movements when he was shot.
Duran's encounter with Fortson on May 3 ended tragically when the 23-year-old airman was shot multiple times, mere seconds after he opened his door holding a legally owned handgun pointed down. During the altercation, which was captured on Duran’s body camera, no aggressive behavior was displayed by Fortson, who was in his own home and had not received any clear identification from Duran as law enforcement prior to the shooting. Duran, who has not responded to voicemails left at a number listed for him, told investigators he shot Fortson because he believed, "I’m about to get shot, I’m about to die." His lawyer, John Whitaker, has also not returned calls seeking comment, as reported by WABE.
Significant details of the event that led to Fortson's death, who was stationed at the nearby Hurlburt Field as part of the 4th Special Operations Squadron, emerged in the aftermath of the incident. Duran, dispatched to Fortson's apartment after a report of a domestic disturbance, failed to identify himself appropriately and moved to the side of the door, creating a situation of confusion and fear. Fortson, unaware of who was knocking and having received no response when he inquired, told his girlfriend on a video call that he was going to retrieve his gun for safety. Upon opening the door, Fortson was immediately shot by Duran before he could react or comply with any commands.
The internal findings, coupled with expert analyses on the use of force in such incidents, highlight a conflict between perceived threat and actual threat. They show a deputy who misconstrued the lack of hostility in the victim's demeanor, only realizing the error after the irreversible act of firing had been committed. For the family of Fortson and the community at large, the dismissal of Duran, while a welcome step, signals the beginning of a quest for deeper accountability for the life that was senselessly taken that day.
