A man accused in the ambush killing of a Philadelphia police officer was arraigned Sunday morning on 76 charges and subsequently ordered held without bail, according to official court documents.
Eric Lewis, 35, is facing a comprehensive list of 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 various other related offenses. His next scheduled court appearance is set for October 26.
These charges are directly connected to a shooting incident that occurred on Saturday, which resulted in the death of Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and left his partner injured.
Community Mourns Fallen Officer, Partner Recovers
Officer Seiber, 40, was a devoted father of two and an Air Force veteran. He had dedicated 10 years of service to the Philadelphia Police Department. He is survived by his wife, his 7-year-old son, and his 3-year-old daughter.
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated during a news conference on Saturday. “His wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family.”
The second officer, a 33-year-old father of five, sustained 12 gunshot wounds and was initially reported to be in critical condition. Authorities have since confirmed his condition has stabilized.
Details of the Deadly Encounter
The shooting incident unfolded around 12:20 a.m. on Saturday. The two officers had responded to a report concerning a man armed with a gun. Upon arrival, they located an armed individual on a porch, police reports indicate.
After reaching the porch, the officers were met with what police described as “significant gunfire.”
Within a short time, additional officers and a SWAT team arrived at the scene. They discovered both officers on the porch, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Further gunfire ensued, leading authorities to declare a barricade situation. Lewis was eventually taken into custody following the standoff, according to police statements.
Police reported that Lewis was found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns recovered belonged to an officer who was wounded during the attack.
Accused's Charges and Prior Record
During a news conference on Saturday, District Attorney Larry Krasner chose not to disclose whether Lewis had fired the officer’s handgun or how he had acquired the other firearms. Krasner also noted that Lewis’s criminal history contained no elements that would have legally prevented him from obtaining a firearm.
Court records indicate that 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 connection with both of these cases.
In 2018, Lewis entered a guilty plea for disorderly conduct involving fighting and was once again sentenced to probation.
Records also show that Lewis received three traffic citations earlier in 2024, which included infractions for driving without headlights, failing to provide proof of insurance, and a windshield-related violation.
