A Philadelphia police officer was killed and his partner badly wounded early Saturday morning in West Philadelphia when a gunman opened fire from a residential porch. The suspect was arrested after hiding in a tree, and prosecutors have announced dozens of charges.
Two Philadelphia police officers responded to an emergency call reporting an armed individual on a porch along the 100 block of North 52nd Street in West Philadelphia early Saturday morning, according to officials who detailed the initial dispatch. The officers arrived just after 12:20 a.m. and were immediately met with what Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel described as heavy gunfire.
Gunman Kills Officer Shane Seiber
Officer Shane Seiber, a 40-year-old father of two and 10-year veteran of the force, died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center after sustaining three gunshot wounds, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed during a morning news conference. Seiber had recently completed SWAT training and hoped to transition to that unit.
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today. His wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family.”
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, via Fox News
Seiber’s partner, a 33-year-old officer and father of five, was shot 12 times during the ambush, according to information released by the police department. Emergency medical personnel rushed both officers to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery. Bethel noted that while the surviving officer was in stable condition, he remained not out of the woods yet.
Law enforcement sources identified the suspected gunman as Eric Lewis, a city employee.
Police Arrest Eric Lewis in Tree
The gunman fled down an alleyway and fired multiple rounds at arriving backup officers, who were not struck, according to investigators who outlined the subsequent manhunt. He then climbed into a tree to hide, where he remained until police pulled him down and took him into custody.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner identified the suspect as 35-year-old Eric Lewis. Prosecutors announced that Lewis faces approximately 80 charges, including the homicide of a law enforcement officer, murder, multiple weapons offenses, and charges for shooting the partner and firing at nine additional responding officers.
Officials Recover Weapons as City Honors Fallen Officer
Investigators recovered a shotgun and two handguns from the scene. Commissioner Bethel stated that one of the recovered handguns belonged to one of the officers who had been shot.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered all U.S. and Commonwealth flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Officer Seiber. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced plans to petition the state legislature to expand involuntary commitment laws to cover substance use and behavioral health conditions.
Today, police officer Shane Seiber paid the ultimate price while sacrificing his own life to protect and serve our city,
Mayor Cherelle Parker said during the press conference. This will be a period of mourning for us, but we will stand tall as a department and get through this together,
Bethel added.
