Philadelphia Cop Killer’s Prior Murder Charge Dismissed Amidst Police Misconduct Claims, DA States

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner stated that a murder charge against Eric Lewis, 35, the city worker accused of killing one police officer and critically wounding another, was dismissed due to a flawed police investigation.

Lewis, who was employed by the Philadelphia Water Department at the time of the Saturday ambush, had a prior murder charge related to a 2019 road-rage double shooting that was tossed. According to Krasner, the investigation into that incident was compromised by an officer who allegedly fabricated a suspect and testimony to derail the case. "The excellent prosecutors did everything humanly possible with a deeply troubled investigation," the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to FOX 29 Philadelphia. "A highly-respected judge was forced to find Lewis not guilty due to that troubling and deficient investigation."

The judge reportedly ordered an internal affairs review into the officers involved in the case following the revelation that one investigating officer was secretly dating Lewis' sister. Krasner noted the judge, from a law enforcement family, had rarely, if ever, sent officers for internal affairs review in his career.

Lewis also evaded charges of assault and weapons possession in 2021 after the primary witness and victim in that case died, according to FOX 29. The Philadelphia Police Department stated it will examine all aspects of this matter, including prior investigations, and will act where accountability is warranted.

Officer Shane Seiber, 40, died after being shot three times responding to a report of an armed man on a porch in West Philadelphia. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel described the incident as a "brutal, senseless, horrific killing." Seiber, survived by his wife and two young children, was a married father.

His partner, who was not identified, sustained 12 gunshot wounds and is in stable condition. He is a father of five.

Lewis was apprehended hours after the ambush while hiding in a tree. He now faces approximately 80 charges, including murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.