Fort Walton Beach, Florida – The mother of a US Air Force Airman who was shot and killed by a Florida sheriff’s deputy nearly two years ago says she doesn’t want people to forget her son, and is still seeking accountability so it doesn’t happen to someone else.
The senior pilot was Roger Fortson, 23 years old Shot to death by a deputy in response to a disturbance call at Fortson’s apartment in Fort Walton Beach, where he lived while at nearby Hurlburt Field. The meeting was in May 2024 It was captured on body camera video.
At a news conference Tuesday in Florida, prominent civil rights attorney Ben CrumpWho represents the Fortson family in Ongoing federal lawsuitHe said that his mother was the one who decided to hold the press conference.
“She is deeply hurt and concerned that time has allowed her son’s name and life to fade from the public consciousness,” Crump said.
He added: “We are not here to litigate facts or comment on ongoing legal proceedings.” “We are here because silence, delay and distance have a human cost to families left to grieve while they wait for answers.”
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden has fired Deputy Eddie Duran, 38, who shot and killed Fortson after directing him to Fortson’s apartment while responding to a domestic violence call. Duran was charged with Manslaughter with a firearma first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. It’s a We rarely see a criminal case Filed against a Florida law officer.
Two Florida attorneys representing Duran did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Fortson’s mother, Chantmiki Fortson, said she still has many unanswered questions about the case.
“I want to know what happened to my child,” she said.
“I have to try to learn how to live life without Roger,” she added. “I don’t think I’ll ever learn that.”
Crump added that Fortson’s mother wanted to know: “How could this have been prevented and how can we make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else’s family?” He said.
The Fortson family is from Georgia. Hundreds of blues-clad Air Force members mourned Fortson His funeral is outside Atlanta.