Preparedness
Former Deputy Faces Manslaughter Charge in U.S. Air Force Senior Airman’s Death
A former deputy from Florida has been apprehended in connection with the fatal shooting of a Black U.S. Air Force senior airman. The incident occurred when the airman, Roger Fortson, opened his apartment door holding a gun pointed towards the ground.
Eddie Duran, 38, previously served as a deputy in Okaloosa County. He faces charges of manslaughter with a firearm for the May 3rd shooting of the 23-year-old airman. Greg Marcille, Assistant State Attorney, announced the charge last Friday. This first-degree felony could lead to a maximum of 30 years in prison.
Duran surrendered himself on Monday and was subsequently booked into the county jail. Marcille confirmed his arrest, stating,
“He did, in fact, turn himself in.”
Duran’s initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday morning via video link.
“He will be held in custody pending his initial appearance,” Marcille added.
An attorney representing Duran has not yet commented on the case.
Authorities were originally dispatched to Fortson’s Fort Walton Beach apartment after receiving a false report of a domestic disturbance. When Fortson answered the door, he had a handgun at his side, pointed downward. Duran then shot him multiple times before instructing Fortson to drop the weapon.
On the day the charges were announced, candles and framed photos of Fortson in uniform were placed at the apartment’s entrance as a tribute.
Duran told investigators he perceived aggression in Fortson’s eyes when the door was opened. He said,
“I’m standing there thinking I’m about to get shot, I’m about to die.”
However, an internal investigation led by Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden concluded that Duran’s life was not in immediate danger when he fired his weapon. Duran was terminated from his position on May 31. External law enforcement experts have also stated that an officer cannot shoot merely because a suspect is holding a gun if there is no immediate threat.
Duran’s background includes service as a military police officer in the Army. He initially joined the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office in July 2019 but resigned two years later due to his wife’s job transfer. He rejoined the sheriff’s office in June 2023.
Records show that Duran had been reprimanded in 2021 for failing to verify the addresses of three registered sex offenders. He had told a colleague he didn’t care about the task. Additionally, while assigned to a high school as its on-campus deputy, he was also disciplined that year for leaving the school before the final bell and the students’ departure. Florida law requires that an armed guard be on campus when class is in session.
Records of 911 calls show deputies had never been called to Fortson’s apartment previously but they had been summoned to a nearby unit 10 times in the previous eight months, including once for a domestic disturbance.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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A tragic incident in Michigan has resulted in a teenage boy facing severe charges after allegedly shooting another teen and fatally wounding the teen’s mother, who was trying to protect her son.
Anthony Deshawn Sneed, 15, is being charged as an adult with multiple serious offenses stemming from the incident that occurred on September 4th in Clinton Township.
The charges against Sneed include felony murder as a juvenile defendant, second-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, and four counts of felony firearm possession.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the conflict began when Sneed got into a fight with the son of Tanseen Sherrod.
During the altercation, Sneed allegedly stole a handgun from the other teen.
When Sherrod attempted to intervene in hopes of calming the situation, she was tragically shot by Sneed, authorities reported.
Details surrounding the exact nature of the fatal confrontation have not been made public.
The other teen involved in the incident was also shot and sustained critical injuries, though his current condition has not been disclosed.
Following the shooting, Sneed fled the scene but turned himself in to Detroit authorities the following day.
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An Arizona man has been charged with the murder of his childhood friend after the headless body of Alijah Bradley was discovered in the desert. The remains of the 24-year-old were found near Gila Bend, just days after his family had reported him missing.
Samuel Bush, 23, faces charges of second-degree intentional murder and concealing a body, with the charges being filed on September 4.
Bradley’s family was left puzzled over the motive behind the murder. A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their confusion to local news outlets KPHO and KTVK, stating, “We honestly don’t know. He was Sam’s best friend. He was Sam’s only friend.”
The family had reported Bradley missing on August 15 after he failed to show up for work and his mother had not heard from him. Bush had initially told the family he was unaware of Bradley’s whereabouts.
Using GPS coordinates, Bradley’s car was tracked to a remote desert location. On August 19, police found both the car and Bradley’s remains.
Authorities revealed that Bradley’s body had been dismembered, and confirmed that all parts of his remains had been recovered. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has yet to comment on a potential motive for the crime.
Bradley’s aunt, Melissa McNeal, shared her sorrow with ABC15, stating, “It’s devastating. He was just beginning his adulthood.” She added, “I don’t feel a relief or anything because – it doesn’t bring him back. It doesn’t fix anything.”
Bradley’s mother, who chose not to be named, committed herself to seeking justice for her son, saying, “I’m committing my life to obtaining justice for my son.”
Bradley was a Northern Arizona University graduate and had recently celebrated his birthday. A fundraising page set up for his family described him as being “known for his free spirit and wild soul.”
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A California family experienced a terrifying ordeal during their Labor Day picnic when their 5-year-old son was attacked by a mountain lion. The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Tapia Day Use Area of Malibu State Creek Park in Calabasas, as reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy’s family and several other adults and children were enjoying their time when the mountain lion suddenly grabbed the child by the head and began to run.
“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” the boy’s aunt recounted.
“The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”
The dramatic rescue unfolded in front of about 40 onlookers, some of whom noted that the mountain lion appeared completely unafraid during the attack.
Male mountain lions can weigh up to 150 pounds and measure up to 8 feet in length, making the father’s actions even more heroic.
The boy was promptly airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was released later that Sunday but had to return to the hospital on Monday due to complications involving his eyes.
Upon arrival at the scene, California State Park rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers found the mountain lion crouched in a tree near the picnic area.
The animal was deemed a threat to public safety and was euthanized by a ranger.
Wildlife officers collected evidence from the boy’s injuries, including DNA swabs from the bite marks, which were matched to the mountain lion.
“CDFW and State Park officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured,” the CDFW stated.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Don
September 1, 2024 at 1:51 pm
Many details left out of the story. Was Duran in uniform and why would Fortson open is door with a gun in his hand and is there video? I guess this white cop is screwed.
CPO Bill
September 1, 2024 at 2:22 pm
You only use deadly force when you or some one else faces eminent danger! There was no threat! I speak from over 35 years in law enforcement.
Timothy
September 2, 2024 at 3:34 am
would love for America, the REPUBLIC to be restored. Repeat criminals kept off the street or killed. Cops go back to helping get cats out of trees, and juvenile truancy. Bad people need to be separated from the law abiding taxpayers. socialist Amerika is an evil empire today.