Florida sheriff’s office fires deputy who fatally shot Black airman at home

A Florida sheriff on Friday fired a deputy who fatally shot a black pilot in his home while he held a gun pointed at the ground.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden fired Deputy Eddie Duran, who fatally shot Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3 after responding to a domestic violence call and being directed to Fortson’s apartment.

Body camera video shows that when the deputy arrived outside Fortson’s door, he stood quietly outside for 20 seconds and listened, but no voices inside can be heard on his body camera.

He then banged on the door but did not identify himself. He then walked to the side of the door, about 5 feet away. He waited fifteen seconds before banging on the door again. This time he shouted, “Sheriff’s office – open the door!” He moved aside again.

Less than ten seconds later he walked back to the door and knocked again, announcing himself once again.

Fortson, 23, opened the door, holding his legally purchased gun in his right hand. It lay next to him and pointed to the ground. The deputy said, “Get back,” and immediately started shooting. Fortson fell backwards to the ground.

Only then did the deputy shout, “Drop the gun!”

Aden said Duran was wrong when he fired his gun.

“This tragic incident should never have happened,” Aden said in his statement. “The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions. Mr. Fortson has committed no crime. By all accounts he was an exceptional pilot and individual.”

A phone number for Duran could not immediately be found.

A criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is ongoing.