FORT WALTON, Fla. — Nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced in a Tuesday news conference that he has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Chantimekki “Meka” Fortson, the mother of 23-year-old U.S. Air Force Airman Roger Fortson, who was tragically shot and killed by an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy in his own apartment on May 3, 2024.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, names as defendants the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Eddie Duran, the Elan Apartments where Fortson resided, and a leasing agent identified as Jane Doe. It alleges excessive force, municipal liability, wrongful death, and negligence under both federal and Florida law.
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On the day of the shooting, Fortson was alone in his apartment on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend. A leasing agent at the Elan Apartments contacted law enforcement about a possible domestic disturbance based on unverified and second-hand claims. Despite a lack of direct evidence or any confirmed disturbance, Deputy Duran was dispatched to Fortson’s apartment. Upon arrival, he failed to initially identify himself properly and positioned himself so he would not be visible through the peep hole as he aggressively banged on the door. Fortson, concerned about his safety, retrieved his legally-owned firearm and opened the door with the firearm pointing towards the ground. Within two seconds of Fortson opening his door, Deputy Duran opened fire, striking Fortson six times.
Body camera footage and an internal affairs report confirmed that Fortson never raised his weapon and posed no threat. Deputy Duran has since been arrested and charged with manslaughter with a weapon.
“This was a catastrophic failure on every level: By a deputy who used unjustifiable force, by a sheriff’s office that failed to train its officers properly, and by an apartment employee whose reckless assumptions set this deadly chain of events into motion,” said Attorney Ben Crump. “Roger Fortson was a proud service member, a loving son, and a young man with his whole life ahead of him. He deserved to feel safe in his own home. Instead, he was killed where he should have been safest, based on hearsay and bias. This lawsuit is about justice for Roger and accountability for those responsible for his needless death.”
Fortson’s death sparked national outrage and renewed calls for police reform and accountability in cases of excessive force.
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Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and his national network of specialized attorneys have spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more, visit BenCrump.com or call (800) 935-8111
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