safety
Officer’s gun accidentally fired, killing man during arrest, investigators say
By Michael Seiden at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 9, 2026
· 3 min read
A former DeKalb County police officer charged in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man during an arrest is out of jail after posting bond Thursday, according to jail records.The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged 37-year-old Derrick Harris Jr. with involuntary manslaughter and reckless con...
Key takeaway The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged 37-year-old Derrick Harris Jr.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The fatal shooting of Seth Jayden Eccles by a former DeKalb County police officer has raised concerns about officer training and the use of firearms during arrests in the Atlanta area. The fact that the officer's gun accidentally discharged while attempting to handcuff Eccles suggests a need for renewed focus on de-escalation techniques and firearm safety protocols. As the case against Derrick Harris Jr. moves forward, the community will be watching to see how the justice system holds law enforcement accountable for their actions. The DeKalb County Police Department's swift termination of Harris and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's prompt completion of their investigation are positive steps, but more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incident has also sparked questions about the department's policies and procedures for handling armed robbery suspects and persons of interest, which will likely be scrutinized in the coming weeks.
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: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former DeKalb County police officer charged in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man during an arrest is out of jail after posting bond Thursday, according to jail records.The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged 37-year-old Derrick Harris Jr. with involuntary manslaughter and reckless con...
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 Michael Seiden 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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