AVONDALE ESTATES, GA — A former officer with DeKalb County Police on Thursday is arrested after being accused of fatally shooting a man while arresting him during an armed robbery investigation, jail records showed.
Former DeKalb County Police Officer Derrick Harris Jr., 37, is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Savannah resident Seth Jayden Eccles on Tuesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday.
DeKalb County Jail records showed Harris was arrested around 10:30 a.m. Thursday. He was granted a combined $11,200 bond, jail records showed.
Jail records did not indicate a release around 11:15 a.m.
Police were investigating the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier early Tuesday afternoon when they identified Eccles as a person of interest, the GBI said.
Officers let Eccles walk away after speaking with him but later discovered an active arrest warrant on an unrevealed charge against Eccles, the GBI said.
Authorities located Eccles, who the GBI said then ran and hid in a nearby wood line.
A search for Eccles ensued, and at about 7 p.m., the GBI said 911 calls started coming in about a suspicious person moving through backyards of Rammel Way homes in Avondale Estates.
Harris located Eccles in a backyard at about 7:45 p.m. and gave him verbal commands, the GBI said. Eccles complied, and Harris took him into custody, the GBI said.
However, while arresting him, Harris fired his gun and hit Eccles, the GBI said.
Harris was attempting to arrest Eccles with one hand while holding his gun in another hand when the weapon mistakenly went off, WAGA-TV reported, citing arrest warrants. The accidental shooting did not happen during a struggle or resistance from Eccles, the news outlet reported, citing investigators.
Officers and emergency medical workers attempted life-saving measures, but Eccles was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital, the GBI said.
Eccles was taken to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
DKPD was made aware of the charges against Harris and chose to fire him due to law violations, the department said Wednesday.
“This incident has had a profound impact on everyone involved. My thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Seth Jayden Eccles as they continue to grieve this tragic loss,” DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick said in a news release.
“This has also been a difficult time for the members of our department. The men and women of the DeKalb County Police Department remain committed to serving our community with professionalism, integrity and compassion, and they will continue to serve the people of DeKalb County with honor, service and partnership each and every day.”
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson called Eccle's death a tragedy. In a statement, she said she sends her condolences to his family and loved ones.
"Today’s criminal charges and the termination of our officer reflect our commitment to accountability," she said. "We understand no one is above the law and that accountability is essential to maintaining public trust. While this remains an active legal matter, I want our residents to know that DeKalb County is committed to transparency, integrity and ensuring that our public safety agencies uphold the highest standards of professionalism as they protect and serve.”
Once the GBI's investigation is complete, the case file will be turned over to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for review.
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