OCALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — A federal illegal death lawsuit on behalf of the family of 23-year-old US airline Roger Fortson was filed days after the anniversary of his death.
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Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump announced at a press conference held at Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday that he would file with Roger Fortson’s family.
“We are here to declare that this veteran’s life is important. Legal gun ownership in your own home cannot be equivalent to a death sentence,” Crump said.
Fortson was shot dead in an apartment in Elan on May 3, 2024 by former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Director Eddie Duran.
Authorities said Duran was directed at Fort Walton Beach Apartment in Fortson in response to a domestic obstruction report that was found to be false.
Fortson opened the door with his gun on his side, and was pointed. Authorities said Duran shot him multiple times before telling Forson to drop the gun.
Crump said the lawsuit alleges that Deputy Eddie Duran used excessive and unconstitutional deadly force when he shot Fortson within seconds of the door opening.
“This is not police, this is an illegal practice,” Crump said.
Crump said the lawsuit also outlines failures in training and oversight by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
“The sheriff’s office knew they had problems,” Crump said. “Another adjutant shot the suspect who was handcuffed just a few months ago as an acorn hit his car. They did nothing. There was no new policy. There was no corrective training.
The lawsuit also alleges that Elan Apartments and its staff provided misleading, unverified information that led to a fatal police response.
“Not only did they fail to train staff on how to handle emergencies, they also doubled when agents fed this gossip and escalated the situation,” Crump said.
Fortson’s grieving mother wants to see her accountable.
“I lost my life. My baby was all the phone. He could feel when his mom needed him,” Mecha Fortson said.
Duran admits that he has not committed a crime on manslaughter. The criminal case is pending.
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Neither the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office nor Elan’s apartment provided comments on the lawsuit.
