A Philadelphia police officer died Saturday after he and his partner were ambushed and shot multiple times while responding to a report of an armed man in the western part of the city.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner identified the suspect as 35-year-old Eric Lewis, who has a criminal record dating back to 2012, according to Pennsylvania court records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
A municipal labor union also identified Lewis as an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department.
Krasner outlined a series of charges stemming from the shooting, including attempted murder, attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and gun offenses. Prosecutors identified at least 11 potential victims, including the two officers who were shot and nine additional people who were fired upon.
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Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel identified the officer who died as Shane Seiber, a 40-year-old father who spent 10 years on the force.
He leaves behind his wife and his two children, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Bethel said at a morning news conference. “His wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family.”
Lewis was found guilty of theft and receiving stolen property in 2012 and gun-related offenses and simple assault in 2013, receiving probation in both cases, according to court records. In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct involving fighting and was again sentenced to probation.
Court records also show Lewis was cited for three traffic violations in 2024, including driving without headlights, failing to provide proof of insurance and windshield-related violations.
District Council 33, a labor union representing Philadelphia municipal workers, identified Lewis as one of its members and an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department in a Facebook statement addressing the shooting.
The union condemned the violence, expressed condolences to Seiber’s family and wished the surviving officer a full recovery. District Council 33 also said it would cooperate with authorities as the case proceeds.
During a news conference, Mayor Cherelle Parker said Seiber “paid the ultimate price while sacrificing his own life to protect and serve our city.”
Parker also announced plans to seek legislation expanding Pennsylvania’s involuntary commitment laws to cover substance use disorders and other mental or behavioral health conditions. She said she would work with Gov. Josh Shapiro, the state legislature and Attorney General Dave Sunday on the proposal.
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Krasner said investigators had not determined whether mental health or substance use played a role in the shooting. Krasner also declined to discuss the suspect’s motive, citing the ongoing investigation and sensitivity toward the victims’ families.
The mayor also referenced the deaths of nine people in Erie, Pennsylvania, saying the tragedy underscored the need to revisit existing laws. Parker acknowledged that investigators had not determined whether mental health or substance use played a role in the Erie deaths.
Parker separately ordered city flags to remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Seiber’s interment.
Gov. Shapiro said in a social media post that he and his wife were praying for Seiber’s loved ones and the Philadelphia Police Department. He also ordered all U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff.
Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., also mourned Seiber’s death, offering prayers for his family, the Philadelphia Police Department and the wounded officer. McCormick said Philadelphia had lost a hero whose sacrifice would not be forgotten.
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., separately offered prayers for the Erie community and the families affected by Friday night’s tragedy.
The other officer, a 33-year-old father of five children, was shot 12 times and was initially in critical condition. After going into surgery, Bethel said, he is now in stable condition but is “not out of the woods yet.”
Just after 12:20 a.m., the officers responded to a report of a man with a gun on a porch, Bethel said.
About 30 minutes later, the officers arrived at the address and came under “significant gunfire” once they were on the porch.
Shortly after shots were fired, Bethel said, additional officers and a SWAT team found the original responding officers on the porch with gunshot wounds.
After running away, the suspect fired at two additional officers, Bethel said.
Krasner outlined nine additional counts of attempted murder and attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer involving the nine other people who were fired upon.
A SWAT team was able to locate the suspect in a tree and take him into custody.
Lewis was found with two handguns and a shotgun, Bethel said. One of the handguns belonged to one of the officers who had been shot.
