The mother of a U.S. airman who was fatally shot in his apartment by an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputy, is speaking out following the deputy’s termination.
On Monday, Chantemekki Fortson told members of the media, deputy Eddie Duran’s firing is a "step in the right direction," however, she believes justice has not yet been served.
“Let’s be clear, that is not justice,” she said of the firing. “That’s you thinking you’re throwing me a bone and I’m OK with it. I’m not OK with it. I’m not OK with it.”
"I want justice for my child. You’re not going to throw me a bone. Take his credentials, take his pension, bring up charges against me.”
Duran was fired from his position as a deputy Friday. An internal investigation found that Duran broke agency policy, when he shot Airman Roger Fortson, 23, six times.
We want FULL JUSTICE for Senior Airman Roger Fortson! This was a senseless killing, and the firing of Deputy Eddie Duran is a step forward. But this level of accountability is not enough for this exceptional airman who was gunned down in his own home! https://t.co/nUTZ9s3S1v
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) June 3, 2024
Duran knocked on Fortson’s door after a 9-1-1 caller said she heard shouting coming from the apartment. Body camera footage shows Fortson opened the door with a gun in his hand, but the weapon was pointing down.
Officials said Duran’s use of deadly force was not “objectively reasonable," according to a OCSO report.
“This tragic incident should have never occurred,” Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said. “The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions."
A criminal investigation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is underway.