Former Florida deputy sheriff who killed US pilot Roger Fortson is charged with manslaughter

Bodycam of shooting of US pilot released

Bodycam video of fatal shooting of US pilot by police in Florida released

02:54

A Florida Panhandle deputy sheriff is facing charges of manslaughter with a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting of an airman who opened the door of his apartment with a gun in his hand.

Former Okaloosa County Deputy Eddie Duran was charged Thursday with the death of Senior Pilot Roger Fortsonsaid Assistant District Attorney Greg Marcille on Thursday. This is a first-degree crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Marcille said an arrest warrant has been issued for Duran, but he is not currently in custody.

Authorities say Duran was dispatched to Fortson's Fort Walton Beach apartment on a domestic disturbance report that turned out to be false. Body camera video shows the deputy knocking on Fortson's apartment door. The deputy initially knocks without announcing himself, but about 30 seconds later, he knocks again, saying he is from the sheriff's office and asking Fortson to open the door.

Chantemekki Fortson, mother of Roger Fortson, a senior airman in the U.S. Air Force, holds a photograph of her son with her family and attorney Ben Crump during a press conference on his death on May 9, 2024, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

After repeated knocks, Fortson opened the door while holding his gun down. The deputy yelled at 23-year-old Fortson to step back. Video showed that seconds after Fortson opened the door, the deputy shot him and he immediately fell to the ground.

According to authorities, Duran shot him several times and only then ordered Fortson to drop the weapon.

During the incident, Fortson was on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend. His lawyer released the video, which appears to show the ceiling of his apartment and the pilot on the floor moaning, “I can't breathe.”

“This decision is the first step towards justice for the family of Roger Fortson,” said the Family of the pilot they said in a statement released through their attorney, Ben Crump. “This should serve as a reminder to all police officers everywhere that they have sworn a solemn oath to protect and defend, and that their actions have consequences, especially when they result in the loss of life.”