Philadelphia police officer killed, suspect arrested and charged

Officer Shane Seiber, 40, a 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department’s 19th district, was shot three times while responding to a call about a man with a gun on a porch in West Philadelphia on Saturday morning. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he later died. A second officer was shot 12 times in the same incident and remains in stable condition, officials said.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel described Seiber’s actions as valiant and confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Eric Lewis, was apprehended after a brief standoff that involved SWAT officers. Lewis was found in a tree, taken into custody and will be held without bail.

District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that Lewis faces a homicide charge for Seiber’s death, as well as attempted homicide, multiple counts of disarming and aggravated assault on law-enforcement officers, and nine counts of attempted murder for shooting at additional officers. Krasner said Lewis has a criminal record dating back to 2012, including a 2015 guilty plea to weapons charges.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said city officials will be in contact with Seiber’s family and called for an expansion of involuntary commitment laws to address mental health and substance-use issues. Governor Josh Shapiro ordered state and U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff in Seiber’s memory. Several elected officials expressed condolences and highlighted the risks faced by law-enforcement personnel.

The shooting occurred after officers responded to a 12:22 a.m. call at 140 N. 52nd St. Upon arrival, they encountered “significant gunfire” and engaged the suspect, who fired additional rounds before being contained.