at the Airman's gun was pointed at the ground. He said Fortson wasn't aggressive and was trying to shield himself before he was shot.

 Roger's last act was to, in essence, plead to not be shot. The defendant completely ignored it. I hope that you don't ignore it,  Alderman told the jury in closing arguments.

After the verdict, State Attorney Ginger Bowden thanked the jurors for their service and her office issued the following statement

 A not-guilty verdict means the State did not prove the criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of every juror. It does not diminish the life, service, or humanity of Roger Fortson, and it does not lessen the devastating loss his family, friends, and fellow airmen endured. 

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Fortson family, says the family is still pursing a civil rights lawsuit in federal court.

 This is a painful moment for everyone who loved Roger Fortson, and his family is heartbroken. Roger was a 23-year-old Senior Airman who chose to serve this country, and he was shot and killed at the door of his own home. His family has lived with that loss every day for more than two years, and this verdict is incredibly hard for them,  Crump said.

Duran's attorney told ABC News he is grateful his client can move forward but he is  saddened for the event that occurred. 

 I always believed that when a police officer knocks on your door and loudly announces himself two times, you better not open that door with a loaded gun in your right hand,  Smith said.  I just felt like that he followed his training, and it's a tragedy. This never should have happened. But I didn't want to see a tragedy turn into an injustice. 

The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.

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