Fortson family will continue to pursue its civil rights case in federal court
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2026) –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson, is responding to Thursday’s verdict in which an Okaloosa County jury found former sheriff’s deputy Eddie Duran not guilty of manslaughter in the death of the 23-year-old airman.
Fortson was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field. Duran shot and killed him at his Fort Walton Beach apartment on May 3, 2024. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office fired Duran less than a month later, and the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s First Judicial Circuit charged him with manslaughter.
In May 2025, the Fortson family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Duran, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, and others. That case is separate from the criminal trial.
Attorney Crump released the following statement:
“This is a painful moment for everyone who loved Roger Fortson, and his family is heartbroken. Roger was a 23-year-old Senior Airman who chose to serve this country, and he was shot and killed at the door of his own home. His family has lived with that loss every day for more than two years, and this verdict is incredibly hard for them.
Roger’s life and his service will always matter. His family will keep fighting for him, and we will stand with them as they pursue their civil rights case in federal court and seek accountability for the tragic loss of his life.”
###
MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]
ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has 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 information, visit bencrump.com.
