Officer who killed Hurlburt Field airmen, Roger Fortson, identified and shot

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden has released the name of the deputy who shot and killed a Hurlburt Field Airman and has also decided to fire him.

Aden made the announcement Friday, releasing the sheriff's office's internal administrative investigation into the May 3 shooting of 23-year-old Roger Fortson.

Deputy Eddie Duran showed up at Fortson's Fort. Walton Beach apartment responding to a report of domestic violence. When Fortson opened the door, video from Duran's body camera showed Fortson holding a gun in his right hand. It was pointed at the ground.

Duran's gun was already drawn. He fired 5 shots at Fortson in just under a second. He was shot several times in the chest. Fortson later died at a hospital from his injuries.

“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. In this case, the former MP failed to meet the standard of objective reasonableness and his use of control to resist was excessive,” Aden said.

This internal investigation solely determined whether or not Eddie Duran followed Sheriff's Office policies and procedures.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting. If they come back with similar findings, Duran could face criminal charges for Fortson's death.