Family demands justice 3 months after death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WALA) – “I came to Okaloosa County for one reason and that is to get justice for Roger Fortson,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

Three months after his death, the family of Airman Senior Airman Roger Fortson and civil rights attorney Ben Crump continue to fight in his honor. In May, Fortson was killed when Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran came to Fortson’s apartment while responding to a disturbance call. Duran was fired in late May after the sheriff’s office completed its investigation, but no charges were filed.

“Although we understand that these things take time. The family is concerned about the length of this investigation,” Crump said. “Especially in light of the fact that the footage is video.”

That video shows Fortson answering the door with a gun in hand, but keeping it pointed at the floor. The video shows Duran shooting Fortson multiple times. In the final report, Sheriff Eric Aden said, “The former deputy did not meet the standard of objective reasonableness and his use of restraint was excessive.” His family have been left emotional as they wonder why more hasn’t been done yet.

“How is this man not accused? He can go home to his family, he can hug his mom or call his sister,” said Roger’s sister, Raevyn Wilburn. “My brother can’t call me anymore and it’s not fair. We deserve justice, my brother deserves justice.”

The DA’s office says the Florida Department of Law Enforcement turned over the results of their investigation to them in late July. Fortson’s family hopes the state and country he served will bring him justice.

“You have an opportunity right now to hold him accountable and show other officers that they will be held accountable when they do the wrong thing,” Wilburn added.

Fortson’s mother says the country he fought for is letting him down.

“My child saved people in a split second. Look how long it’s taking America to save him,” said Roger’s mother, Chantimekki Fortson.

As for why a decision has not yet been made on whether or not to charge Duran, the DA’s office says that “this matter was initially investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and they did an extensive investigation prior to to be turned over to the state attorney’s office.”

The state’s attorney’s office says they have scheduled a meeting with Fortson’s family on Aug. 23 to talk about the case.

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