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Florida deputy who fatally shot U.S. airman fired after sheriff's investigation

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Florida deputy who fatally shot U.S. airman fired after sheriff's investigation

The Florida sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a U.S. Air Force airman during a response to report of a disturbance has been fired, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

An internal investigation of the May 3 shooting found Deputy Eddie Duran’s use of deadly force that ended in the death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson was not reasonable, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

“The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions,” Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said in the office’s statement.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson.U.S. Air Force

Duran could not be reached for comment Friday.

Two Florida organizations that represent law enforcement and offer legal help when deputies are accused of wrongdoing, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It’s unclear if either represents Duran.

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Fortson, 23, was fatally shot when he opened the door of his apartment in Fort Walton Beach, about 40 miles east of Pensacola, after Duran knocked and announced the presence of law enforcement, the sheriff’s office said.

Duran was responding to a report of a disturbance in progress, and an employee of the complex directed him to the unit where Fortson lived, the office said.

A person described as a neighbor told a sheriff’s dispatcher at the time that they could hear what they believed to be an argument between a man and woman at the unit that sounded like it was getting physical, and that it wasn’t the first time loud arguing could be heard in the area of the apartment, according to the investigative report.

After knocking but not announcing who he was, Duran knocked twice more while each time announcing “sheriff’s office,” the office said.

Fortson opened the front door and the two faced each other, the office said. The airman had a gun at his side, pointed down, and did not aim it and did not resist the deputy before Duran opened fire, it said.

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“Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime,” Aden said. “By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.”

Fortson died at a hospital.

At a May 9 news conference, Fortson’s family and their attorneys said he had been home alone and on a video call with his girlfriend before the shooting. They said he thought someone was trying to break in, and that they believe the deputy responded to the wrong apartment.

Earlier this month the sheriff’s office released body camera footage of the incident. It shows Fortson answering the door of his off-base apartment and immediately being shot multiple times.

The sheriff’s office initially said in a statement after the shooting that Duran “reacted in self defense.”

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But the internal investigation made it clear the office believes Duran violated agency policy.

It concluded “Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputy’s use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable under OSCO’s policy,” the office said on Friday.

Fortson was based at Hurlburt Field Air Force base in Okaloosa County. His family has retained high-profile civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the shooting.

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Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

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Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

new video loaded: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

The first battle of the midterm elections will be the U.S. Senate primary in Texas. Our Texas bureau chief, David Goodman, explains why Democrats and Republicans across the U.S. are watching closely to see what happens in the state.

By J. David Goodman, Alexandra Ostasiewicz, June Kim and Luke Piotrowski

March 1, 2026

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Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say

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Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say

Gunfire rang out at a bar in Austin, Texas, early Sunday and at least three people were killed, the city’s police chief said.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis told reporters the shooter was killed by officers at the scene. 

Fourteen others were hospitalized and three were in critical condition, Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said.

“We received a call at 1:39 a.m. and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients,” Luckritz said.

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There was no initial word on the shooter’s identity or motive.

An Austin police officer guards the scene on West 6th Street at West Avenue after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP


Davis noted how fortunate it was that there was a heavy police presence in Austin’s entertainment district at the time, enabling officers to respond quickly as bars were closing.

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“Officers immediately transitioned … and were faced with the individual with a gun,” Davis said. “Three of our officers returned fire, killing the suspect.”

She called the shooting a “tragic, tragic” incident.

Texas Bar Shooting

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis provides a briefing after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, near West Sixth Street and Nueces in downtown Austin, Texas.

Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP


Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said his heart goes out to the victims, and he praised the swift response of first responders.

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“They definitely saved lives,” he said.

Davis said federal law enforcement is aiding the investigation.

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A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR

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A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR
Recently, movie critic Bob Mondello brought us a story about how he found a 63-year-old recording of his father arguing a case before the Supreme Court. The next day, he bumped into Nina Totenberg, NPR’s legal affairs correspondent, in the newsroom. They were talking so animatedly that we ushered them into a studio to continue the conversation.To unlock this and other bonus content — and listen to every episode sponsor-free — sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.org. Regular episodes haven’t changed and remain available every weekday.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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