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This is an expert review of high-profile police force and/or civilian self-defense cases from around the country. Force Analysis will provide expert opinions on the facts as they know them at the time and that could change with further information.

Deputy Eddie Duran shot Airman Roger Fortson Deadly Force case

  • On 5/3/24, Deputy Duran was dispatched to an address for a possible domestic.

  • He arrived and spoke with the renting agent who received information 3rd hand of a possible violent encounter.

  • He arrived at the door and knocked three times, the second two times he announced that it was the Sheriff’s Department.

  • Roger Fortson answered the door with a handgun in his right hand.

  • At the 1:00 minute mark, the door begins to open inward.

  • At the 1:02 minute mark, Deputy Duran tells Roger to step out.

  • At the 1:03 minute mark, Deputy Duran unholsters and discharges multiple time fatally wounding Roger.

  • At the 1:03.23 mark, the video showed Roger with a handgun in his right hand facing downward toward the ground.

    • At trial Deputy Duran testified after he announced police, he heard someone say the word “police” before Roger answered the door.

    • He testified when the door began to open, he observed the firearm in Roger’s hand and that it was rotating toward him.

    • He was in fear of his safety; therefore, he discharged his duty weapon in fear of death or serious bodily injury.

    • He was charged with manslaughter and found NOT GUILTY!!

  • Under the totality of the circumstances under Graham v. Connor, Deputy Duran’s use of deadly force was “objectively reasonable.”

    • He believed the persons inside the apartment knew the police where at the door.

    • Roger answered the door with a firearm in his hand.

    • He perceived the firearm began to rotate toward him when he utilized deadly force.

    • Police officers are not trained they have to wait to have a gun pointed at them or have someone shoot at them before they can utilize deadly force.

    • Regardless of what Roger’s intensions were at the time, it is what Deputy Duran reasonably perceived in the moment.

    • Reasonably perceived does not mean 100% certainty.

    • Although it was tragic that Roger received fatal gunshot wounds, he answered the door with a gun in his hand and the officer reasonable perceived he was a threat. SEE THE VIDEO ATTACHED