Philadelphia officer killed in ambush shooting, suspect charged with murder
Shane Seiber, 40, died after being shot three times; Eric Lewis, 35, faces multiple charges.
A Philadelphia police officer died after an ambush shooting in West Philadelphia early Saturday morning, and another officer was left seriously injured, authorities said.
Officer Shane Seiber, 40, a 10-year veteran, was shot three times and died at the hospital. The second officer, 33, was wounded 12 times and was listed in stable condition.
District Attorney Larry Krasner identified the suspect as 35-year-old Eric Lewis. Lewis has been charged with murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, and multiple weapons offenses, along with attempted murder for the shooting of the wounded officer.
Krasner said Lewis was also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at nine other officers who were not struck. Prosecutors noted Lewis had prior arrests for gun, drugs, and assault charges between 2013 and 2020.
Police said officers were dispatched to the 100 block of North 52nd Street shortly after 12:20 a.m. for a report of a man with a gun on a porch. Officers arrived about 30 minutes later and were shot soon after stepping onto the porch.
Officials said the suspect ran down an alleyway and fired at other officers, who were not hit. A search and neighborhood lockdown followed while police searched for the gunman. Lewis was taken into custody after falling out of a tree.
Officers recovered two handguns and a shotgun. Police said one of the handguns belonged to an officer who had been shot.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of Seiber.
Lewis is charged and held in connection with Seiber’s killing and the other shootings, as police and prosecutors continue the case.
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Source:
6abc Philadelphia