A Philadelphia Water Department employee is facing multiple criminal charges after a shooting in West Philadelphia left one police officer dead and another seriously injured, authorities said.
Eric Lewis, 35, was identified as the suspect in the October 10 shooting on North 52nd Street. Police Officer Shane Seiber, 40, died from his injuries, while a second officer, who was shot multiple times, was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Lewis worked for the Philadelphia Water Department, according to Greg Boulware, president of District Council 33, the union representing municipal employees. The union expressed condolences to Seiber’s family and colleagues and said it would cooperate with the investigation.
The shooting has affected both the Philadelphia Police Department and the wider community of city workers, as two municipal employees were caught up in the deadly incident.
Lewis Faces Multiple Criminal Charges
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that Lewis faces charges including murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, possession of an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.
Lewis appeared in court early Sunday, October 11, and was ordered held without bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 26.
Authorities said Lewis was taken into custody by a SWAT team after the shooting. Police reported that he had been hiding in a tree during the search. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being transferred to the homicide unit.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the charges against Lewis have not been proven in court.
What Happened on North 52nd Street?
Officers were dispatched to a home in the 100 block of North 52nd Street shortly after midnight on October 10 following a report of a man with a gun on a porch.
According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, officers approached the residence and encountered gunfire. Two officers were struck, and additional responding officers came under fire as the incident unfolded.
Seiber was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. Police said nine additional officers were fired upon during the incident, although they were not reported to have been injured.
Investigators recovered three firearms at the scene: two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns belonged to an officer who had been shot, according to police.
Officer Shane Seiber Remembered
Seiber was a 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and had served in the department’s 19th District. He was 40 and had two children.
Bethel said Seiber’s wife and other relatives were with him at the hospital. The commissioner also acknowledged the support shown to the department as officers and their families dealt with the loss.
The surviving officer, 33, had been with the department for nine years. He was shot 12 times and underwent treatment at the hospital, according to officials.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff in Seiber’s honor. Shapiro praised the service of law enforcement officers and offered condolences to Seiber’s loved ones.
Union Responds to the Shooting
District Council 33 said it was deeply shaken by the violence and extended its condolences to Seiber’s family, friends and fellow officers. The union also expressed hope for the injured officer’s recovery.
The organization said the loss was being felt throughout Philadelphia’s municipal workforce, where city employees serve residents in a wide range of public roles.
Questions About Lewis’ Criminal History
Pennsylvania state Rep. Amen Brown said Lewis had an extensive criminal record and claimed that Lewis made a disturbing remark after his arrest. That allegation has not been independently established here.
Krasner declined to discuss details of Lewis’ alleged criminal history during a news conference on October 10. He said officials needed to give the police commissioner, mayor and Fraternal Order of Police leadership an opportunity to speak with Seiber’s family before more information was shared publicly.
Further details about the case may emerge as the investigation and court proceedings continue. Lewis remains charged in connection with the shooting, and the upcoming preliminary hearing is expected to be a key step in the legal process.
