The Philadelphia police shooting early Saturday in West Philadelphia left one officer dead and another critically injured, and prosecutors have charged 35-year-old Eric Lewis, according to District Attorney Larry Krasner.
Authorities said Lewis faces charges including homicide of a law enforcement officer, murder, attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, possession of an instrument of crime, and reckless endangerment in the death of 40-year-old Officer Shane Seiber. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Seiber was a 10-year veteran with two children. Family members were with him at the hospital, where he died. “He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Bethel said.
Krasner said the gunfire erupted around 1 a.m. on the 100 block of North 52nd Street, where Lewis allegedly shot two officers and fired at nine others. None of the additional officers were struck. Lewis is being held without bail and is expected to have a preliminary hearing soon, according to Krasner.
Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones said during an afternoon briefing that while he offers thoughts and prayers, he is focused on the charges and accountability. District Council 33, the union for many city workers, confirmed Lewis is employed by the Philadelphia Water Department. The department referred questions to the city. The union extended condolences to Seiber’s loved ones and pledged cooperation with investigators in a social media statement.
The Delaware FOP State Lodge said Seiber previously served at Dover Air Force Base from 2007 to 2015. In a post, the organization said his Delaware ties deepened the shock and sadness.
What led to the Philadelphia police shooting
Police responded to a report of a man with a gun on a porch at a West Philadelphia home, Bethel said. When officers approached, they came under heavy fire. Mayor Cherelle Parker said two officers were badly wounded and were rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery. Bethel said Seiber was shot three times, and the second officer, a 33-year-old father of five, was shot 12 times. The commissioner said the wounded officer remains in serious condition.
Seiber had recently completed SWAT training and hoped to transfer to the unit, police sources said. After the initial exchange, more officers, including a SWAT team, converged on the area as Lewis allegedly continued firing multiple times. He was taken into custody after officers pulled him from a tree.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Amen Brown, who lives nearby, said Lewis hid in the tree for hours and that he witnessed the arrest. Brown said the suspect, who lives in the neighborhood, has an extensive criminal record and allegedly stated during arrest that he wished he had killed more officers.
Police recovered three firearms at the scene, including two handguns and a shotgun. One handgun had been taken from a wounded officer, Bethel said.
Lawmakers react to Philadelphia police shooting
Mayor Parker called the shooting a stark reminder of the risks officers face and urged the public to pray for them. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier said the killing felt especially painful given community efforts to improve safety. Parker also urged state leaders to consider legislation addressing mental health and substance use to bolster public safety and said she supports expanding involuntary commitment laws.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Seiber, calling law enforcement officers “the very best of us” who put their lives on the line daily. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said he hopes for a full recovery for the wounded officer and noted the incident underscores the dangers officers face while protecting the public.
The Delaware FOP State Lodge said Seiber previously served at Dover Air Force Base from 2007 to 2015. In a post, the organization said his Delaware ties deepened the shock and sadness.
Parker also urged state leaders to consider legislation addressing mental health and substance use to bolster public safety and said she supports expanding involuntary commitment laws.
Police recovered three firearms at the scene, including two handguns and a shotgun. One handgun had been taken from a wounded officer, Bethel said, in an incident that echoed other recent high-profile violent attacks under investigation nationwide.
