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Former DeKalb County officer accused of killing 19-year-old during investigation released on bond
By Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 9, 2026
· 3 min read
A former DeKalb County officer accused of shooting and killing a teenager while investigating an armed robbery on Tuesday night is no longer at the county jail.On Thursday morning, former Ofc. Derrick Harris, Jr. turned himself in, facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, a felony, and reckless...
Key takeaway Harris was accused of shooting and killing 19-year-old Seth Eccles while investigating the robbery of a mail carrier.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The release of former DeKalb County officer Derrick Harris, Jr. on a $5,000 bond has raised questions about the balance between accountability and due process in the Atlanta area. As the community grapples with the death of 19-year-old Seth Eccles, the incident has sparked concerns about police protocols and the use of force during investigations. The fact that Harris was terminated from the DeKalb County Police Department due to violations of laws suggests that the department acknowledges a breach of protocol. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's involvement in the case ensures a level of oversight, but the outcome of the involuntary manslaughter charge will be closely watched by the community. The incident has also highlighted the need for transparency and communication between law enforcement agencies and the public, particularly in cases involving the use of force. The community will be watching to see how the case unfolds and what measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former DeKalb County officer accused of shooting and killing a teenager while investigating an armed robbery on Tuesday night is no longer at the county jail.On Thursday morning, former Ofc. Derrick Harris, Jr. turned himself in, facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, a felony, and reckless...
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 Sam Sachs 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 local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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