Investigators say Fortson, 23, was alone with his small dog in his apartment, talking to his girlfriend on FaceTime, when Duran knocked loudly at his door before identifying himself as a police officer. Duran was responding to a 911 call reporting an alleged domestic disturbance. An employee at the apartment complex directed Duran to Fortson's unit, although no disturbance can be heard on the deputy's body cam.
Nothing can ever bring Roger back, and our fight is far from over,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Fortson's family. “This decision marks the first step towards justice for the family of Roger Fortson.”
The officer's fatal use of force, captured on body-camera footage, drew outcry from civil rights leaders who said it once again underscored systemic issues with over-aggressive police behavior toward Black citizens.
Meka Fortson, Roger's mother, has traveled to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., from the family's home in Atlanta several times to try to clear her son's name. The Air Force rallied around her family after her son's death, and Vice President Kamala Harris called to express her sympathy.
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