NEW: Former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy Eddie Duran has been found not guilty of manslaughter for the shooting death of Air Force Airman Roger Fortson in May of 2024.

A jury on Thursday, Oct.1, returned the verdict in the case of the deadly shooting at an apartment complex in Fort Walton Beach. Deputies at the time said they were responding to a domestic disturbance in the same complex, but not at Fortson’s apartment.

Duran went to Fortson’s apartment and knocked several times before Fortson opened the door with the gun in his hand. Duran quickly fired five shots, killing the airman.

Duran argued that he was fearful for his life when he saw the gun in Fortson’s hand, though the gun was by his side and pointed at the floor.

https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/jury-finds-former-deputy-eddie-duran-not-guilty-in-fort-walton-beach-shooting

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