AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Eric Lewis Charged in Fatal Philly Police Shooting
Eric Lewis, 35, has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Philadelphia police officer Shane Seiber and the wounding of another officer on Saturday. The incident occurred when officers responded to a report of a person with a gun at 140 N. 52nd St. in West Philadelphia around 12:15 a.m., according to police. Both officers were discovered unresponsive on the porch before being transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Officer Seiber, a 10-year veteran of the force, was pronounced dead, leaving behind a wife and two children. The other officer has not been publicly identified and remains hospitalized.
Eric Lewis' Criminal Record and Previous Murder Charge
District Attorney Larry Krasner revealed on Tuesday that Lewis has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2012, including charges of assault, gun offenses, and disorderly conduct. Notably, Lewis had previously faced a murder charge for the 2019 killing of Christopher Williams, 32, in West Philadelphia, reportedly following a road rage dispute. However, faulty police procedures led to a not guilty verdict in that case three years ago.
Claims of 'Deeply Flawed' and 'Arguably Criminal' Investigation
Krasner said that the investigation into the 2019 murder was marred by significant errors and misconduct. A police officer dating Lewis’ sister identified him as the shooter but then undermined his own testimony by fabricating an account of anonymous tip information. Krasner criticized this "obstruction of the administration of justice," describing the actions by some involved law enforcement officers as "outrageous, despicable, and tragic." The presiding judge found Lewis not guilty and ordered an internal review by the Philadelphia Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division into what was described as "egregious and troubling conduct." Police officials have not commented on the outcome of that internal investigation.
Additional Legal Encounters and Unresolved Reports
In 2021, Lewis was again charged with assault and gun offenses, but the case did not proceed due to the death of a key victim and witness. Officials from the district attorney’s office have acknowledged awareness of further 911 calls and potential complaints regarding acts of violence involving Lewis, though details were not disclosed in the statements.
Current Charges and Commitment to Justice
Following Saturday’s incident, Lewis was taken into custody by SWAT personnel. He now faces charges including homicide of a law enforcement officer, murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, and other related offenses. District Attorney Krasner emphasized his office’s dedication to prosecuting Lewis, stating, "We will keep on it," and vowing to guard against procedural or investigative errors as the case progresses. Krasner reiterated, "I'm going to make sure that there are not issues or errors, anything like that in this case as we move forward."
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
The killing of Officer Seiber has led to renewed scrutiny over investigative practices within the Philadelphia Police Department and raised questions about accountability in previous cases involving Lewis. The Internal Affairs review and district attorney’s statements underscore ongoing efforts toward justice accountability following this high-profile law enforcement homicide.
Source: phillyvoice.com.
