Philadelphia officer killed in deadly ambush
A deadly ambush in West Philadelphia leaves officer Shane Seiber dead and his partner hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. Suspect Eric Lewis, a Philadelphia Water Department employee, was arraigned on more than 70 charges, including murder and homicide of a law enforcement officer. The suspect possesses a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2012.
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The suspect accused in the ambush killing of a Philadelphia police officer was arraigned Sunday morning on 76 charges and ordered held without bail, according to court records.
Eric Lewis, 35, faces charges including murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and other related offenses. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 26.
The charges stem from a Saturday shooting that killed Philadelphia police Officer Shane Seiber and left his partner wounded.
Seiber, 40, was a father of two and an Air Force veteran who served 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department. He is survived by his wife, 7-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.
PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER KILLED, PARTNER SHOT 12 TIMES IN AMBUSH; SUSPECT FOUND HIDING IN TREE
Eric Lewis faces 76 charges, including murder, attempted murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer and 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. (Philadelphia Police Department)
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a news conference on Saturday. “His wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family.”
The wounded officer, a 33-year-old father of five, was shot 12 times and was initially listed in critical condition. He has since been listed in stable condition.
The shooting unfolded around 12:20 a.m. Saturday, when the two officers responded to a report of a man with a gun. They located an armed man on a porch, according to police.
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The fallen officer was identified as Shane Seiber, a 40-year-old father of two and Air Force veteran who spent 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department. (Philadelphia Police Department)
The officers then came under “significant gunfire” after reaching the porch, police said.
Additional officers and a SWAT team arrived a short time later and found both officers on the porch suffering from gunshot wounds.
More gunfire followed, prompting authorities to declare a barricade situation before Lewis was eventually taken into custody, according to police.
Police said Lewis was found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns belonged to an officer wounded in the attack.
At a news conference Saturday, District Attorney Larry Krasner declined to say whether Lewis had fired the officer’s handgun or how he had obtained the other firearms.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said the fallen officer “fought valiantly, but he lost his life.” (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Krasner also said there was nothing in Lewis’ criminal background that would have prevented him from obtaining a firearm.
Lewis, an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department, has a criminal history dating to 2012, according to Pennsylvania court records reviewed by Digital.
Court records show Lewis was convicted of theft and receiving stolen property in 2012 and of gun-related offenses and simple assault in 2013. He received probation in both cases.
In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct involving fighting and was again sentenced to probation.
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Records also show Lewis received three traffic citations in 2024, including driving without headlights, failing to provide proof of insurance and a windshield-related violation.
‘ James Cirrone, Brittany Miller and CB Cotton contributed to this report.
