State Attorney Finally Charges White FLA Cop who Murdered Roger Fortson. The Black Airman's Palm was Up and His Gun was Down @ His Side when Officer Shot Him

From [HERE] The Florida sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed senior U.S. airman Roger Fortson in his home in May has been charged with manslaughter, according to authorities.

The Okaloosa County, Fla., State Attorney’s Office confirmed to NPR on Friday that Eddie Duran, the former Okaloosa County sheriff who fired the shot that killed Fortson, will be charged with one count of manslaughter with a firearm.

Gregory Marcille, the assistant state attorney for Okaloosa County, said the manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The Okaloosa County State Attorney's Office declined further comment as the investigation is ongoing.

Ginger Brown Madden, the Okaloosa County State Attorney, said in a statement that a warrant for Duran’s arrest is still outstanding.

Following news of Duran's charges, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department issued a statement saying it stands by its decision to terminate Duran, finding his use of force "not objectively reasonable."

Duran was responding to a call of a domestic dispute May 3 when he arrived at the apartment complex Fortson lived in. The airman was alone in his apartment the night of the shooting.

When Fortson heard someone knocking on his door, he asked who was at the door but didn’t get a response. When Duran knocked again, Crump said, the airman was unable to see anyone when he looked out the peephole, so he retained his legally owned gun and opened the door.

Body camera footage released in May showed Duran shooting Fortson six times, just seconds after he opened the door holding his gun. According to a witness who Crump said was on FaceTime with Fortson during the shooting, the airman fell to the ground after he was shot, saying, “I can’t breathe.”

He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

Friday’s announcement follows Fortson’s family demanding transparencyfor months and just this week calling for Duran to face charges. 

“Nothing can ever bring Roger back, and our fight is far from over, but we are hopeful that this arrest and these charges will result in real justice for the Fortson family,” Crump said Friday.

“Let this be a reminder to law enforcement officers everywhere that they swore a solemn oath to protect and defend, and their actions have consequences, especially when it results in the loss of life.”