Former deputy charged with manslaughter of black pilot

Eddie Duran, the former Okaloosa County deputy sheriff who shot and killed U.S. soldier Roger Fortson in May, has been charged with manslaughter, according to Florida state authorities.

Accordingly NPRDuran is charged with manslaughter with a firearm.

Gregory Marcille, Okaloosa County's assistant district attorney, told the news outlet that this particular charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. However, due to the nature of the ongoing investigation, the Okaloosa County District Attorney's Office declined to comment further.

Ginger Brown Madden, Okaloosa County District Attorney, also issued a statement to NPR which suggests that there is an arrest warrant out for Duran.

Benjamin Crump, one of the Fortson family's attorneys, said in a statement that the manslaughter charge represents a step toward “real justice” for Fortson's family.

“Nothing can ever bring Roger back and our fight is far from over, but we are confident that this arrest and this indictment will bring real justice to the Fortson family,” Crump said.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department issued its own statement saying it had been “responsible and transparent” during its discussions with Fortson's family and legal counsel, as well as their communications with the U.S. Air Force.

“The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) has demonstrated full accountability and transparency in complying with legal requirements, made numerous public statements, made available body-worn camera footage and other related records, met with Mr. Fortson's family and legal counsel, and communicated openly with the U.S. Air Force and our entire community.”

As BLACK COMPANY As previously reported, Fortson was shot by Duran while responding to a call about a disturbance at Fortson's apartment. However, Fortson was alone and FaceTimed with his girlfriend when Duran approached his door.

Accordingly NPRBodycam footage shows Fortson identifying himself as a police officer after knocking on his door. Fortson appears on the other side of the door, pressing a gun to the ground, and Duran fires several shots at Fortson, who later died in the hospital.

According to Brian Barr, another attorney for the Fortson family, the call Duran was asked to respond to was not related to Fortson's apartment, and Crump said in May that Duran should not have even been allowed to enter Fortson's apartment.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department initially agreed with Duran's claim of self-defense, but after an internal investigation concluded that Duran's use of deadly force “was objectively not reasonable and therefore violated agency policy,” Duran was fired.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden released a statement after Duran's firing saying Fortson's killing should never have happened.

“This tragic incident should never have happened,” Aden said. “The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson's actions. Mr. Fortson committed no crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and human being.”

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