Philadelphia Police Ambush Suspect Faces 76 Charges, Held Without Bail
Eric Lewis, accused of killing an officer and wounding another, is being held without bail as his next court date is set for October 26.
The suspect accused in the ambush killing of a Philadelphia police officer was arraigned Sunday morning on 76 charges and ordered held without bail, according to court records.
Eric Lewis, 35, faces charges including murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and terroristic threats. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 26.
The charges stem from a Saturday shooting that killed Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and left his partner wounded. Seiber, 40, was a father of two young children and an Air Force veteran who had served 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two children.
"He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today," Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a news conference Saturday. "His wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family."
The wounded officer, a 33-year-old father of five, was shot 12 times and was initially listed in critical condition. He has since been upgraded to stable condition.
The shooting unfolded around 12:20 a.m. Saturday when the two officers responded to a report of a man with a gun. They located an armed man on a porch, according to police, and then came under "significant gunfire."
Lewis was found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns belonged to the wounded officer.
District Attorney Larry Krasner stated there was nothing in Lewis' criminal background that would have prevented him from obtaining a firearm. Court records indicate Lewis has a criminal history dating to 2012, with convictions for theft, receiving stolen property, gun-related offenses, and simple assault. He received probation in cases where he was convicted in 2012 and 2013. In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct involving fighting and was again sentenced to probation. Records also show Lewis received three traffic citations in 2024.