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Seth Jayden Eccles

Age : 19

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 07/08/2026

Location : Rammel Way

City : Decatur

County : DeKalb

State : Georgia

Agency : DeKalb County Police Department

Officer(s) :Derrick Harris Jr.

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during armed robbery investigation

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/08/2026, DeKalb County Police Officer Derrick Harris Jr. shot and killed 19-year-old Seth Jayden Eccles in the backyard of a residence on Rammel Way while attempting to arrest him on outstanding warrants. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Eccles complied with the officer's commands after being located at gunpoint. As Harris attempted to handcuff him, the officer's firearm discharged, striking Eccles. Eccles died at the scene. Following its investigation, the GBI arrested Harris and charged him with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, concluding the shooting occurred while Eccles was being taken into custody rather than during an active confrontation.
According to the GBI's court filings:
-Seth Jayden Eccles, 19, had been located in the backyard of a home after officers searched for him in connection with an armed robbery investigation.
-Officer Derrick Harris Jr. confronted him at gunpoint.
-Eccles complied with every command.
-He got on the ground.
-He was lying face down (prone position) with his hands behind his back while Harris attempted to handcuff him.

The affidavits allege Harris made a critical mistake:
He kept his pistol in one hand while trying to apply handcuffs with the other.
During that process, the gun allegedly discharged by itself.
Prosecutors characterize that conduct as a "gross deviation from the standard of care," which forms the basis for the reckless conduct charge. The involuntary manslaughter charge is based on causing a death while committing that misdemeanor offense.
Harris was fired by the DeKalb County Police Department. He had originally been hired in 2014 and for unknown reasons voluntariy resigned in 2020, was then rehired in 2026. The investigation remains ongoing, and the case will be presented to the DeKalb County District Attorney for prosecution.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wjcl.com/article/dekalb-county-officer-charged-savannah-death/71882667
https://www.wjcl.com/article/dekalb-county-officer-charged-savannah-shooting/71896156
https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/dekalb-county-police-involved-shooting-leaves-suspect-dead-after-armed-robbery-investigation/