FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump filed a federal lawsuit in May 2024 against a former Florida sheriff’s agent and others in the shooting death of 23-year-old senior U.S. Airman Roger Fortson.
Former Okaloosa County Sheriff Deputy Eddie Duran shot and killed Fortson, who was a black man, at the door of his apartment. Duran admits that he has not committed a crime on manslaughter. The criminal case is pending.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Crump outlined a lawsuit with Forson Family members in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
What is the lawsuit?
Crump says his lawsuit argues Duran used “excessive, unconstitutional, lethal force” in the shooting. It also outlines what is called a failed training and supervision at the sheriff’s office, and provides “misleading, unverified information” that claims the apartment where Fortson was shot and killed, leading to a violent response.
How did the filming unfold?
Authorities say Duran was being directed at Fort Walton Beach Apartment in Fortson in response to a domestic obstruction report that was found to be false. After repeated knocks, Fortson opened the door, holding the handgun to his side, and pointed. Authorities say Duran shot him multiple times before telling Forson to drop his gun.
Who is Eddie Duran?
Duran, 39, began his career in law enforcement as a military police officer in the Army. The Oklahoma State Police Department hired him in 2015 after he was discharged from the military. He joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in 2019, resigned two years later, and rejoined the Sheriff’s Office in 2023.
Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden fired Duran after Forson’s death.
According to his voter registration, Duran has identified him as Hispanic.
Who was Roger Fortson?
Fortson grew up in Atlanta and joined the Air Force in 2019, when he graduated from high school in 2019.
The apartment where Fortson lived is approximately 8 miles (13 km) from Hurlbertfield. He was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Company as a special mission aviator. One of his roles was to load up 30mm and 105mm weapons from the gunship.
His death was one of the list of law enforcement murders of black people in his own home. We have also updated discussions regarding Florida’s “stand Your Ground” law.
What is the status of the criminal case against Duran?
The case is in the pretrial hearing stage at a motion hearing set for May 20th. Duran is out of the prison where he is being held.
Who is Ben Crump?
Crump, 55, is a well-known black lawyer based in Tallahassee, Florida, and has worked on many well-known civil correct cases and illegal death cases. His cases include people who have involved other black people killed by law enforcement, including Breana Taylor, George Floyd and Michael Brown.
