“This charge arises from an incident on May 3 that resulted in the shooting death of Roger Fortson,” Bowden Madden said in a news release. “A warrant for Duran’s arrest is outstanding at this time. If convicted as charged, Duran faces a maximum sentence of thirty years in state prison.”
In late May, OCSO investigators determined that Duran’s use of deadly force in the shooting death of Fortson, a 23-year-old airman, on May 3 in Ocean City was “not objectively reasonable” and violated agency policy. Duran, 38, was fired.
“We continue to wish Mr. Fortson’s family comfort and peace, as the former deputy’s criminal case proceeds,” Sheriff’s Office officials said today in a statement. “The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has been fully accountable and transparent in its compliance with statutory requirements, providing numerous public statements, making accessible the available body-worn camera footage and other related records, meeting with Mr. Forston’s family and legal counsel, and communicating openly with the U.S. Air Force and our community at-large.
“We stand by our decision to terminate Mr. Duran as a result of the administrative internal affairs investigation that found his use of force was not objectively reasonable.”
In a Facebook post today, Ben Crump, the attorney representing Fortson’s family, said the charge against Duran “marks the first step towards justice for the family of Roger Fortson. Nothing can ever bring Roger back, and our fight is far from over, but we are hopeful (this charge) will result in real justice for the Fortson family. Let this be a reminder to law enforcement officers everywhere that they swore a solemn oath to protect and defend, and their actions have consequences, especially when it results in the loss of life.”
