International Courant
A former Florida sheriff’s deputy is accused of murdering a Black American Air Power Soldier who opened his condominium door whereas pointing a gun on the flooring was arrested Monday, authorities stated.
Former Okaloosa County Deputy Eddie Duran, 38, has been charged with second-degree homicide with a firearm within the Could 3 taking pictures demise of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, Assistant District Legal professional Greg Marcille introduced Friday. The cost is a first-degree felony punishable by as much as 30 years in jail.
Duran was booked into the county jail Monday, data present. Marcille confirmed his arrest to The Related Press.
“He did flip himself in,” Marcille stated in a phone interview, including that Duran’s first courtroom look will likely be by way of video hyperlink Tuesday morning. “He will likely be held in custody pending his first look.”
An legal professional representing Duran didn’t instantly reply to an e-mail looking for remark.
Authorities stated Duran was known as to Fortson’s Fort Walton Seaside condominium after a report of home violence turned out to be unfaithful.
After knocking repeatedly, Fortson opened the door, holding his gun at his facet and pointing it downward. Authorities say Duran shot him a number of instances; solely then did he inform Fortson to drop the gun.
On Friday, the day the fees have been introduced, candles and framed images of Fortson in uniform stood exterior the condominium the place he was killed.
In line with the inner affairs report into the taking pictures, Duran instructed investigators that when Fortson opened the door, he noticed aggression within the pilot’s eyes. He stated he fired as a result of, “I am standing there considering I am about to get shot, I am about to die.”
Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden fired Duran on Could 31 after an inner investigation discovered that his life was not in peril when he opened fireplace. Exterior legislation enforcement consultants have additionally stated that an officer mustn’t shoot simply because a possible suspect is holding a weapon, if there isn’t a menace.
Duran is a legislation enforcement veteran who started his profession as a navy police officer within the Military. He joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Workplace in July 2019, however resigned two years later when his spouse, a nurse, was transferred to a Navy hospital exterior the world. He rejoined the sheriff’s workplace in June 2023.
Okaloosa’s personnel data present that in 2021, he was reprimanded for failing to finish an project to verify the addresses of three registered intercourse offenders by visiting their properties and telling a colleague he didn’t care about them. He was then assigned to a highschool as a deputy principal, and that yr he was additionally disciplined for leaving faculty earlier than the ultimate bell and college students have been dismissed. Florida legislation requires an armed guard to be on campus when lessons are in session.
911 name data present that officers had by no means been known as to Fortson’s condominium earlier than, however they’d been known as to a close-by unit 10 instances previously eight months, together with as soon as for a home dispute.
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Anderson reported from St. Petersburg, Florida. Martin reported from Atlanta.
Authorities arrest former deputy sheriff who shot and killed black pilot in his house
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