Eric Lewis, 35, was arraigned Sunday morning on 76 charges in connection with the ambush shooting that killed Philadelphia police Officer Shane Seiber and wounded his partner, according to court records. A judge ordered Lewis held without bail. His next court date is set for Oct. 26.
The charges against Lewis include murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and terroristic threats, among other offenses.
Seiber, 40, died Saturday from wounds sustained in the attack. He was an Air Force veteran who had served 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department. He leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel told reporters Saturday. “His wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family.”
Seiber’s partner, a 33-year-old father of five, was shot 12 times in the attack. He was initially listed in critical condition and has since been upgraded to stable condition.
According to police, the two officers responded around 12:20 a.m. Saturday to a report of a man with a gun. They found an armed man on a porch and, upon approaching, came under what police described as “significant gunfire.”
Additional officers and a SWAT team responded shortly afterward and found both officers on the porch with gunshot wounds. More gunfire followed as authorities declared a barricade situation before Lewis was taken into custody.
Police said Lewis was found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns belonged to a wounded officer. At a news conference Saturday, District Attorney Larry Krasner declined to say whether Lewis had fired the officer’s weapon or how he obtained the other firearms. Krasner said nothing in Lewis’ criminal background would have barred him from legally obtaining a gun.
Lewis, who works for the Philadelphia Water Department, has a criminal record dating back to 2012. Pennsylvania court records show he was convicted that year of theft and receiving stolen property, and in 2013 of gun-related offenses and simple assault, receiving probation in both cases. In 2018, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct involving fighting and again received probation. Records also show he received three traffic citations in 2024, including for driving without headlights, failing to provide proof of insurance and a windshield violation.
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