A suspect is in custody after he fatally shot a police officer in Philadelphia and tried to kill other officers.
Philadelphia Police Department Commissioner Kevin Bethel announced during a press conference that Shane Seiber was killed in West Philadelphia on Saturday, October 10, after responding to a report of a man with a gun, per CBS Philadelphia.
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Bethel said of Seiber, 40, who is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
Bethel added that Seiber’s wife and family were by his side when he was transported to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Another officer was shot several times during the incident. The officer’s name and details of their injuries have not been publicly disclosed, according to The Guardian. However, Action News reported that the surviving officer is 33 and has five children.
Both Seiber and the surviving officer were taken to a local hospital following the attack, and the unnamed officer survived after undergoing surgery. That officer is currently in stable condition.
Seiber was well-known within the community and worked with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years.
“This will be a period of mourning for us, but we will stand tall as a department and get through this together,” Bethel said.
District Attorney Larry Krasner told Action News that the suspect was identified as Eric Lewis. He has since been arrested and charged with murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer and attempted murder after he allegedly tried to shoot nine other officers during the incident.
Police responded to the scene after receiving a report of a man with a gun on a porch around 12:20 a.m., according to Action News. The officers arrived about 30 minutes later, and Lewis, 35, allegedly started shooting at them as they stepped onto the porch.
Lewis then ran down an alleyway and allegedly shot at other officers. Police set out on a search for him and conducted a neighborhood lockdown before he was later found when he fell out of a tree.
It is not currently clear whether Lewis has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Philadelphia Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in the case.
Following Seiber’s death, Gov. Josh Shapiro took to X to pay tribute to the late officer. “Our law enforcement officers are the very best of us. They put their lives on the line every day, running towards danger to keep their fellow Pennsylvanians safe, not knowing if they will return home. We owe them our deepest gratitude,” he wrote.
Shapiro then ordered all United States and Pennsylvania flags on Commonwealth grounds to fly at half-staff in honor of Seiber.
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