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Family Sues Florida Deputy over Killing of U.S. Airman Roger Fortson in His Own Home

HeadlineMay 07, 2025

In Florida, the family of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, an Air Force member killed by a sheriff’s deputy inside his own home in 2024, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit. The suit alleges deputy Eddie Duran used excessive and unconstitutional deadly force when he shot Fortson just seconds after he answered the door of his own apartment. Fortson’s family said police arrived at the wrong home and that Fortson grabbed his legal firearm as a precaution. Police body-camera footage showed Fortson answered the door with his gun at his side, not posing an imminent threat to the officer, who immediately shot Fortson six times. Fortson’s family is being represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

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