A former Georgia police officer has been charged after investigators say he accidentally fired his weapon while trying to arrest a teenager, killing him during a handcuffing attempt.
The incident happened Tuesday evening in Avondale Estates, and the officer was charged the following day.
Former Officer Identified
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation filed charges Wednesday against Derrick Harris Jr., 37.
Harris was an officer with the DeKalb County Police Department at the time of the shooting but has since been terminated.
Teen Shot in Backyard
The victim was identified as 19-year-old Seth Jayden Eccles of Savannah.
According to the GBI, Eccles was shot Tuesday evening in the backyard of a home in Avondale Estates.
He was later taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Earlier Questioning by Postal Inspectors
Earlier that afternoon, agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service questioned Eccles about the armed robbery of a mail carrier.
GBI said law enforcement later learned Eccles had an active arrest warrant.
Authorities began searching for him after he allegedly hid in nearby woods following the questioning.
911 Calls Led Police to Area
Multiple 911 callers reported seeing a suspicious person moving through backyards in Avondale Estates.
Harris later found Eccles in the backyard of a home.
According to investigators, Harris gave verbal commands at gunpoint, and Eccles complied.
Gun Fired During Handcuffing Attempt
An arrest warrant affidavit says Eccles was lying on his stomach as Harris attempted to arrest him.
The affidavit states Harris had a firearm in one hand near Eccles’ back and handcuffs in the other.
While trying to handcuff Eccles, Harris accidentally fired the weapon.
Investigators said the gunshot caused Eccles’ fatal injury.
Charges Filed Against Harris
Harris has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony, and reckless conduct, a misdemeanor.
A second arrest warrant affidavit says Harris consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk.
It also says his actions were a serious departure from the level of care a reasonable person would use in that situation.
Investigation Still Ongoing
The GBI said the investigation remains active.
Once the investigation is complete, the case will be sent to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.
Bond Set at $10,000
Harris was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on Thursday.
Jail records show his bond was set at $10,000, and he has since bonded out.
Online court records did not list attorney information for him, and attempts by ABC News to contact him by phone were unsuccessful.
Officer Terminated After Charges
After the charges were announced, the DeKalb County Police Department said Harris had been fired because of “violations of laws.”
Police Chief Greg Padrick said the incident had deeply affected everyone involved.
He offered condolences to Eccles’ family and said the department remains committed to professionalism, integrity and compassion.
County CEO Calls Death a Tragedy
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson called Eccles’ death a tragedy.
She offered condolences to his family and loved ones.
She said the criminal charges and Harris’ termination reflect the county’s commitment to accountability, public trust and the principle that no one is above the law.
The fatal shooting of Seth Jayden Eccles has led to criminal charges against former DeKalb County officer Derrick Harris Jr. Investigators say Harris accidentally discharged his firearm while attempting to handcuff Eccles during an arrest.
With the officer now terminated and the case still under investigation, authorities say the matter will be reviewed by prosecutors once the GBI completes its work.