Florida lawmaker fired following internal investigation into airman's death – KIRO 7 News Seattle

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The deputy who fatally shot U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3 has been fired following an internal investigation.

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The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office found that “the deputy's use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable and therefore violated agency policy,” according to the findings of an internal investigation.

The sheriff's office report is approximately 29 pages long and details the plan of action, the process of reviewing body camera footage and an interview with the deputy, WJHP reported. That deputy was identified as Eddie Duran.

As a result of the internal investigation, Duran was fired, the Associated Press reported.

The sheriff's office said Fortson, 23, died at a hospital in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., after being shot by an Okaloosa County sheriff's officer at an apartment complex, according to Northwest Florida Daily News.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is continuing a criminal investigation into the case, the AP reported.

“This tragic incident should never have happened,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “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 aviator and individual.

The full internal administrative affairs investigation is available on the Sheriff's Office website.

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