safety
DeKalb County police officer arrested after allegedly shooting, killing 19-year-old
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A DeKalb County police officer facing charges in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man on Tuesday was arrested Wednesday morning, according to jail records. Derrick Harris Jr., 37, is accused of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, the Georgia Burea...
Key takeaway , 37, is accused of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The arrest of DeKalb County police officer Derrick Harris Jr. raises concerns about the use of force by law enforcement in the Atlanta area. This incident, which resulted in the death of 19-year-old Seth Jayden Eccles, will likely be closely watched by the community, given the circumstances of the shooting. The fact that Harris had Eccles on the ground with his hands behind his back when the fatal shot was fired will undoubtedly be a focal point of the investigation. As the case moves forward, residents of DeKalb County will be looking for transparency and accountability from the police department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The swift action taken by DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick in firing Harris and the GBI's decision to charge him with involuntary manslaughter may be seen as a step towards addressing community concerns about police conduct.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A DeKalb County police officer facing charges in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man on Tuesday was arrested Wednesday morning, according to jail records. Derrick Harris Jr., 37, is accused of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, the Georgia Burea...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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