DeKalb officer fired, charged with involuntary manslaughter after fatal shooting of robbery suspect, GBI says
A DeKalb County police officer has been fired and charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct after the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man during an arrest Tuesday evening, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI announced Wednesday that Officer Derrick Harris Jr., 37, has been charged following its investigation into the shooting death of Seth Jayden Eccles, 19, of Savannah. No officers were injured.
According to investigators, the charges were filed after consultation with the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.
The shooting happened as law enforcement searched for Eccles in connection with an armed robbery investigation involving a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier.
The GBI said DeKalb County police were investigating the robbery on July 7 when U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents interviewed Eccles, who had been identified as a person of interest. After speaking with him, investigators allowed Eccles to leave.
Authorities later discovered Eccles had an active arrest warrant. U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents and DeKalb County officers located him again, but investigators said he ran into nearby woods, prompting a search.
Around 7 p.m., DeKalb County 911 began receiving calls about a suspicious person moving through backyards on Rammel Way in Avondale Estates.
About 45 minutes later, Officer Harris located Eccles in the backyard of a home, according to the GBI.
Investigators said Harris ordered Eccles to comply at gunpoint, and Eccles followed those commands. Harris then took Eccles into custody.
The GBI says that during the arrest, Harris fired his weapon, striking Eccles.
Officers and emergency medical personnel provided life-saving measures at the scene before Eccles was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The GBI said Eccles' body will undergo an autopsy at the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office.
Officials said Harris will be booked into the DeKalb County Jail once he is taken into custody.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said its independent investigation remains ongoing. Once complete, the agency will submit its findings to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office for prosecution and review.
DeKalb police respond to officer's firing and charges after fatal shooting
DeKalb County Police acknowledged the criminal charges filed by the GBI against Officer Derrick Harris, Jr. following the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Seth Eccles on July 7.
Officer Harris has been terminated for violating the law.
Police Chief Greg Padrick expressed condolences to Eccles' family and affirmed the department's commitment to professionalism and integrity.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson also offered sympathies and emphasized the county's dedication to accountability, transparency, and maintaining public trust in its public safety agencies.
