In a heart-wrenching plea for justice, the mother of Air Force senior airman Roger Fortson, who was fatally shot by a Florida deputy in his own home last month, has demanded that criminal charges be brought against the fired deputy. Chantemekki Fortson, speaking at a news conference, expressed her family's unwavering determination to seek justice for her son.

The tragic incident occurred on May 3 when Eddie Duran, a deputy with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, responded to a call about a physical disturbance. Fortson, 23, opened the door with a gun in his hand, pointed downwards, and was shot multiple times by Duran, who claimed he acted in self-defense. The shooting took place in Fort Walton Beach, just a few miles away from the largest Air Force base in the country.

Following an internal affairs investigation and a review of body camera footage, Sheriff Eric Aden made the decision to fire Duran. In a subsequent statement, Aden acknowledged that the use of deadly force was not justified given the objective facts of the case, emphasizing that Fortson had not committed any crime and was an exceptional airman.

The release of the body camera video, which occurred amid mounting pressure from Fortson's supporters, revealed that Duran had not properly identified himself as a law enforcement officer before shooting. Fortson's family and their attorneys have also raised concerns that Duran went to the wrong apartment, further fueling their demand for justice.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Fortson's family, called for swift action by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), urging them to bring criminal charges against Duran. Crump emphasized that this was not a case of mere negligence but a criminal act that must be held accountable.

Meanwhile, Chantemekki Fortson expressed her belief that the decision to fire Duran was a result of pressure from certain members of the Air Force who were critical of her son's death. She emphasized the need for the FDLE to act promptly and for Duran to face the full consequences of his actions.

The FDLE has confirmed that their investigation is ongoing and that they will submit their findings to the local state attorney's office for review. However, no definitive timeline has been provided for the completion of their investigation.

As the criminal investigation unfolds, questions have been raised about the pace of the process and whether race played a factor in the shooting. Fortson was Black, while Duran identified himself as Hispanic. Crump, drawing on his experience representing other high-profile victims of police violence, has called for a critical examination of what the charges would be if the roles were reversed.

The grief-stricken Fortson family, backed by their legal representation, remains resolute in their pursuit of justice for their lost loved one. Their demand for criminal charges against Deputy Duran serves as a powerful reminder of the need for accountability in law enforcement to prevent further tragedies and ensure that no family suffers a similar loss in the future.

In the face of unimaginable pain and loss, Chantemekki Fortson speaks up for her child, exposing the harsh realities that persist in the pursuit of justice.