- 23-year-old Airman fatally shot during false domestic disturbance response
- Ex-deputy claims self-defense despite victim holding holstered weapon
- Lawsuit targets law enforcement training gaps and apartment complex's role
- Incident renews scrutiny of police interactions with military personnel
- Case could set precedent for stand your ground law application
The family of U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson has launched a federal civil rights lawsuit against former Okaloosa County Deputy Eddie Duran, alleging unconstitutional use of deadly force during a May 2024 apartment complex confrontation. Legal experts suggest this case could become a benchmark for evaluating police responses to armed homeowners under Florida’s controversial self-defense statutes.
Body camera footage reveals Duran fired six rounds within seconds of Fortson opening his door, striking the active-duty service member multiple times. Despite Fortson maintaining his firearm pointed downward, prosecutors argue the deputy violated standard escalation protocols. The shooting occurred less than 15 miles from Hurlburt Field, where Fortson served as a special missions aviator loading advanced aircraft weaponry.
An internal sheriff’s office review found critical failures in the deputy’s threat assessment process. Training records show Duran completed only 28 hours of de-escalation instruction during his eight-year law enforcement career, compared to the state average of 42 hours for veteran officers. The apartment complex management faces scrutiny for allegedly providing unverified information about noise complaints that initiated the fatal wellness check.
Legal analysts highlight parallels to Florida’s 2022 Pensacola case, where a Marine veteran’s justified self-defense shooting initially faced criminal charges before public outcry forced reconsideration. Unlike that incident, Fortson never discharged his legally owned firearm, raising questions about officers’ interpretation of stand your ground protections for armed residents.
The lawsuit comes as military advocacy groups report a 17% increase in police encounters involving off-duty service members since 2020. Proposed reforms include mandatory military cultural competency training for patrol officers and revised protocols for responding to base-adjacent housing calls. A congressional subcommittee has requested the Air Force’s investigation findings for potential federal oversight legislation.
Fortson’s squadron commander testified to the airman’s exemplary service record, including recent commendations for weapons system innovations. Colleagues describe the Atlanta native as a meticulous professional who frequently mentored junior crew members. His death has prompted base leadership to implement new off-base safety briefings for special operations personnel.