Philadelphia officer killed in deadly ambush
A deadly ambush in West Philadelphia killed Officer Shane Seiber and left his partner hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. Eric Lewis, an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department, faces more than 70 charges in the case, including murder and homicide of a law enforcement officer. His criminal record dates back to 2012.
Eric Lewis, the man accused of ambushing and killing a Philadelphia police officer, was arraigned Sunday morning on 76 charges and ordered held without bail, according to court records.
Lewis, 35, is charged with 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 hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26.
The charges arise from a Saturday shooting that killed Philadelphia Officer Shane Seiber and wounded his partner.
Seiber, 40, was an Air Force veteran and father of two who served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
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 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 initially listed in critical condition. His condition has since been upgraded to stable.
The shooting began around 12:20 a.m. Saturday, when the two officers responded to a report of a man with a gun. Police said they found an armed man on a porch.
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)
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As the officers approached the porch, they came under “significant gunfire,” police said.
Additional officers and a SWAT team arrived soon afterward and found both officers on the porch with gunshot wounds.
Further gunfire led authorities to declare a barricade situation. Lewis was later taken into custody, according to police.
Police said Lewis had two handguns and a shotgun in his possession. One of the handguns belonged to the officer wounded in the attack.
At Saturday’s news conference, District Attorney Larry Krasner declined to say whether Lewis had fired the officer’s handgun or explain how he 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 nothing in Lewis’ criminal history would have barred him from obtaining a firearm.
Lewis, who works for the Philadelphia Water Department, has a criminal record dating to 2012, according to Pennsylvania court records reviewed by News Outlet.
The records show Lewis was convicted of theft and receiving stolen property in 2012, followed by convictions for gun-related offenses and simple assault in 2013. He received probation in both cases.
In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct related to fighting and was again sentenced to probation.
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.
