Philadelphia officer Shane Seiber killed in ambush as suspect accused of shooting partner 12 times
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: A late-night response to a report of an armed man turned deadly for Philadelphia police officer Shane Seiber, who died Saturday, October 10, after he and his partner came under heavy gunfire. The 40-year-old officer, a father of two, had served on the force for 10 years.
His partner, a 33-year-old father of five, was shot 12 times and initially remained in critical condition. He has since undergone surgery and is now stable, although Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said he was “not out of the woods yet.” Authorities arrested 35-year-old Eric Lewis, who was found hiding in a tree after the shooting.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICERS RISK THEIR LIVES TO SAVE WOUNDED COLLEAGUES AS GUNFIRE ERUPTS IN WEST PHILLY In an extraordinary display of courage, Philadelphia police officers rushed to save two critically wounded colleagues during Saturday morning’s deadly ambush in West Philadelphia. Exclusive video obtained by Philly Crime Update captures the harrowing moments immediately following the shooting. The footage shows responding officers carrying their wounded colleagues into patrol vehicles and rushing them to emergency medical care. As officers worked to save their fellow officers, another volley of gunfire erupted at the scene. Despite the danger, officers continued their efforts to get the wounded men to safety. Tragically, Officer Shane Seiber, 40, a 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and father of two, died from his injuries. His 33-year-old partner, a father of five who was shot 12 times, survived and was last reported in stable condition. These officers did not hesitate when their colleagues needed them most. Their actions deserve recognition. Our deepest condolences remain with Officer Seiber’s family and the Philadelphia Police Department. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED: This video contains intense scenes and sounds of gunfire. Images of the wounded officers have been blurred out of respect for their privacy and families.
— PhillyCrimeUpdate (@PhillyCrimeUpd) October 10, 2026
Shane Seiber leaves behind his wife and two young children after deadly ambush
Bethel identified Seiber as the officer who died following the attack, sharing details of his final hours and the family he leaves behind. Seiber is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Bethel said at a morning news conference. He added that Seiber's wife and other family members were able to be by his side before he died.
Mayor Cherelle Parker also paid tribute to the officer, saying he “paid the ultimate price while sacrificing his own life to protect and serve our city.”
The shooting has left the Philadelphia Police Department mourning one of its own, while Seiber's partner continues to recover from his injuries.
Please join us in praying for the Philadelphia Police Department. Two officers with children at home have been shot multiple times. Waiting for additional information 🙏🏽 https://t.co/4Rnu3dbn5W
— Dave Goitia 4 AZ FOP Lodge 12 (@GlendaleFOP12) October 10, 2026
The surviving officer's condition improved after surgery, but Bethel's remarks made clear that his recovery remains uncertain.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a social media post that he and his wife were praying for Seiber's loved ones and the Philadelphia Police Department.
He also ordered US and state flags to be flown at half-staff. Parker separately ordered city flags to remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Seiber's interment.
Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., also expressed his condolences, offering prayers for Seiber's family, the police department and the wounded officer. McCormick described Seiber as a hero whose sacrifice would not be forgotten.
Eric Lewis allegedly opened fire on officers and nine other people
According to Bethel, officers were first sent to the scene just after 12:20 am after receiving a report of a man with a gun on a porch.
About 30 minutes later, the two officers arrived at the address and came under “significant gunfire” while on the porch.
Additional officers and a SWAT team soon arrived and found both responding officers wounded on the porch. The suspect fled the scene and allegedly fired at two more officers as he ran.
Prosecutors identified at least 11 potential victims in the shooting: the two officers who were wounded and nine other people who were fired upon.
District Attorney Larry Krasner outlined charges against Lewis that include attempted murder, attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and gun offenses.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner detailed the charges against Eric Lewis, the suspect accused of shooting and killing a police officer, wounding another and firing at nine other cops early Saturday in West Philly. Krasner said Lewis will be held without bail. The fallen officer is identified as 40-year-old Shane Seiber, a 10-year veteran of the force with two children.
— CBS Philadelphia (@CBSPhiladelphia) October 10, 2026
He also detailed nine additional counts of attempted murder and attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer connected to the other people who were targeted.
A SWAT team eventually located Lewis hiding in a tree and took him into custody. Bethel said Lewis was found with two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns belonged to one of the officers who had been shot.
Krasner said Lewis remained in custody without serious injuries and was expected to appear for a preliminary arraignment and bail hearing.
Eric Lewis has a criminal record dating back to 2012
Pennsylvania court records reviewed by Fox News Digital show that Lewis has a criminal record stretching back more than a decade.
He was found guilty of theft and receiving stolen property in 2012. In 2013, he faced gun-related offenses and simple assault, receiving probation in both cases.
In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct involving fighting and was again sentenced to probation.
BREAKING: ERIC LEWIS, 35, CHARGED WITH MURDER OF PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER SHANE SEIBER; HELD WITHOUT BAIL Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has identified Eric Lewis, 35, as the man accused of fatally shooting Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and critically wounding his partner early Saturday morning in West Philadelphia. Lewis is now facing multiple serious criminal charges, including: • Homicide of a law enforcement officer • Murder • Attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer • Attempted murder • Disarming a law enforcement officer • Aggravated assault • Additional related offenses Lewis is being held without bail. The shooting occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on October 10, along the 100 block of North 52nd Street. Authorities say two officers assigned to the 19th Police District responded to reports of an armed man on a residential porch when they came under heavy gunfire. Officer Shane Seiber, 40, a 10-year veteran and father of two, was shot three times and later died from his injuries. His partner, a 33-year-old officer and father of five, was shot 12 times. He remains hospitalized but has been reported in stable condition. Police say the gunman continued firing as additional officers responded to the scene. Fellow officers rushed to evacuate their wounded colleagues, placing them into patrol vehicles for emergency transportation to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. A SWAT team later located the suspect hiding in a tree and took him into custody. District Attorney Krasner said the criminal case identifies 11 victims, including both wounded officers. Officer Seiber leaves behind his wife, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. The investigation and prosecution are ongoing. Lewis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
— PhillyCrimeUpdate (@PhillyCrimeUpd) October 10, 2026
Court records also show three traffic citations in 2024, including driving without headlights, failing to provide proof of insurance and windshield-related violations.
District Council 33, a labor union representing Philadelphia municipal workers, identified Lewis as one of its members and an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department.
The union condemned the violence, expressed condolences to Seiber's family and wished the surviving officer a full recovery. It also said it would cooperate with authorities as the case proceeds.
Cherelle Parker plans to seek changes to Pennsylvania commitment laws
Following the shooting, Parker announced plans to seek legislation expanding Pennsylvania's involuntary commitment laws to cover substance use disorders and other mental or behavioral health conditions.
She said she would work with Shapiro, the state legislature and Attorney General Dave Sunday on the proposal.
However, Krasner said investigators had not determined whether mental health or substance use played a role in the Philadelphia shooting.
He also declined to discuss a possible motive, citing the ongoing investigation and the sensitivity of the situation for the victims' families.
Parker also referred to the deaths of nine people in Erie, Pennsylvania, saying the tragedy highlighted the need to revisit existing laws.
She acknowledged that investigators had not established whether mental health or substance use contributed to those deaths either.
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., separately offered prayers for the Erie community and the families affected by Friday night's tragedy.
