The family of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, who was fatally shot by a former Okaloosa County deputy in May, held a press conference Friday to demand justice and urge the State Attorney’s Office to file charges in the case.
- Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Fortson family, spoke at the Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church alongside Fortson’s parents, Meka Fortson and Roger Wilburn, and other family members.
“We came here for one reason and one reason only, Okaloosa County, and that is to get justice for Roger Fortson,” Crump said.
The shooting occurred on May 3 when former Deputy Eddie Duran responded to a reported disturbance at Fortson’s apartment. Body camera footage showed Fortson holding a firearm pointing at the ground when he opened the door, but the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office’s internal investigation found that Fortson did not point the gun at Duran or physically resist.
- Sheriff Eric Aden terminated Duran following the investigation, stating, “The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.”
Crump revealed that the State Attorney’s Office has indicated a charging decision will be made on August 23, 2024. The family expressed frustration with the length of the investigation, especially given the existence of video evidence.
“We don’t need to say no more, just watch the video,” Crump emphasized.
Fortson’s sister, Raevyn, questioned the delay in charges. “If he didn’t commit any crimes, how is this man not being charged?” she asked, referring to the former deputy.
Meka Fortson, the airman’s mother, spoke emotionally about losing two sons in recent months and pleaded for accountability. “If you don’t hold him accountable, you’re teaching other officers they can do the same thing,” she said.
According to Crump, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement completed its investigation and submitted findings to the State Attorney’s Office in July. The family and their attorneys are now awaiting the charging decision.
