FORT WALTON BEACH – The Okaloosa County chapter of the NAACP will host a community town hall event at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium with the family of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, who was shot and killed by a now former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy in May.
In a news release, Chapter President Sabu Williams and members of the Fortson family, including the pilot’s mother and father, will share stories about their son’s life and their continued calls for justice.
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to share their feelings about the shooting and express their condolences to the family. Clergy and mental health professionals will also be present to provide religious or counseling services.
“We expect a completed investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement within the next few days and a decision from the District Attorney’s Office shortly thereafter on whether to file formal charges against former Deputy Eddie Duran,” Williams said in the news release.
More Fortson coverage: ‘We need to make this story clear’: lawyer Ben Crump wants answers about the fatal shooting
On May 3, Duran responded to a Fort Walton Beach apartment complex after receiving a call about an apparent disturbance. When Duran arrived at Fortson’s apartment, surveillance footage showed that after knocking on Fortson’s door three times, Fortson opened the door with a gun pointed downward in his right hand.
Fortson was shot multiple times and later died. An internal investigation by the Sheriff’s Office concluded that Duran’s use of deadly force violated policy, and he was fired from the department.
The town hall meeting begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: NAACP holds town hall, calls for justice for slain airman’s family
