Crime & Public Safety
Ex-Okaloosa deputy faces manslaughter trial over Fort Walton Beach shooting
A manslaughter trial is underway in Okaloosa County for former deputy Eddie Duran, who is charged in the May 2024 fatal shooting of 23-year-old Senior Airman Roger Fortson at Fort Walton Beach. Prosecutors say Fortson was shot after answering his apartment door; investigators recovered multiple gunshot wounds and firearms at the scene, and the medical examiner testified that Fortson died from those wounds.
Prosecutors and the defense presented opening statements and early witness testimony at trial. The state told jurors the evidence will show Fortson “made no aggressive move or act” when he opened his door with a gun at his side, and urged a manslaughter conviction. The defense contends Duran believed his life was in danger and acted as trained, asking jurors to find him not guilty. The trial record includes video of the door opening and items recovered during the investigation.
Witnesses called so far include the district medical examiner, a friend who saw Fortson earlier the same day, the apartment resident who reported the disturbance, the leasing agent who alerted the sheriff’s office, and Fortson’s girlfriend, who was on a FaceTime call when the shooting occurred. The girlfriend testified about what she heard as Duran ordered Fortson to drop a weapon and about Fortson’s actions at the door.
The shooting is documented as occurring in May 2024; Duran maintains he shot Fortson in self-defense. The trial continued the following day with further testimony, and no verdict has been reached.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.