Former sheriff’s deputy accused of killing airman granted bail

A judge in Florida has set a $100,000 bond for former deputy Eddie Duran, charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson. Duran allegedly shot Fortson, who answered the door with a gun pointed to the ground, after a domestic disturbance call. The body camera footage shows that Duran did not properly identify himself before shooting Fortson multiple times. The Fortson family and their attorneys claim that Duran went to the wrong apartment, as Fortson was home alone with his small dog when the incident occurred. Fortson, who was stationed at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, was described as an exceptional airman. Attorney Ben Crump, representing the Fortson family, released a video of Fortson groaning and saying “I can’t breathe” after being shot. The sheriff’s office initially defended Duran’s actions, but later fired him after an internal investigation found that Fortson did not pose a threat, leading to the charges against Duran. Fortson’s mother expressed mixed feelings about the charges, stating that it did not bring her comfort. The case has sparked a debate over the use of deadly force and the accountability of law enforcement officers in such situations. The Fortson family and their supporters are hopeful that the charges against Duran will bring them justice.

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