safety
DeKalb officer charged with shooting, killing teen during arrest
By Alex Jones at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
A DeKalb County police officer has been charged after a shooting ended in the death of a 19-year-old on Tuesday night.The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the victim as Seth Jayden Eccles of Savannah.Officer Derrick Harris Jr., 37, has been arrested and charged with involuntary mans...
Key takeaway , 37, has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, the GBI confirmed.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The arrest of Officer Derrick Harris Jr. and his subsequent termination from the DeKalb County Police Department sends a strong message about accountability within the force. As the community grapples with the loss of 19-year-old Seth Jayden Eccles, residents will be watching closely to see how the department implements changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The fact that Eccles was complying with commands at gunpoint when he was shot raises questions about the use of force protocols and training within the department. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson's statement emphasizing accountability and the need to maintain public trust is a step in the right direction, but concrete actions will be necessary to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community. The outcome of the investigation and any resulting reforms will have significant implications for public safety and police-community relations in DeKalb County.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - 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 .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A DeKalb County police officer has been charged after a shooting ended in the death of a 19-year-old on Tuesday night.The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the victim as Seth Jayden Eccles of Savannah.Officer Derrick Harris Jr., 37, has been arrested and charged with involuntary mans...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Jones at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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