Florida jury acquits former deputy in fatal shooting of airman

A jury in Florida has found former sheriff deputy Eddie Duran not guilty of manslaughter with a firearm following the fatal shooting of Roger Fortson, a Black United States Air Force airman. The verdict was reported by the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, and the Oskaloosa Herald. Fortson was shot and killed inside his apartment after law enforcement officers responded to an unfounded report of a domestic disturbance. [1][3][5]

The Guardian reported that an Okaloosa County jury reached the acquittal on Thursday after deliberating for about two hours. Duran, who is 38 years old, was facing trial for manslaughter with a firearm. Both the Los Angeles Times and the Oskaloosa Herald noted that the deputy had been fired from his position. [1][3][5]

According to reports from the Guardian, the fatal shooting occurred after authorities were dispatched to the apartment complex on a false domestic disturbance call. Fortson answered the door to his apartment holding a gun in his hand, at which point Duran opened fire. The report confirmed that the initial domestic disturbance call that brought deputies to the apartment was completely unfounded. [1]