PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One officer is dead, and another is injured after a shooting in West Philadelphia early Saturday morning.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel says officers were called to 52nd and Arch streets around 1 a.m. for a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they saw a man with a gun on a porch. He opened fire on them, striking a 33-year-old officer 12 times and a 40-year-old officer three times. Nine other officers were also fired at, but none were injured, according to District Attorney Larry Krasner.
The officers who were struck are with the 19th Police District. Bethel says they were both badly wounded and underwent surgery. One officer — identified as 40-year-old Shane Seiber — died. He was a 10-year veteran of the police force and leaves behind a wife and two young children, ages 7 and 3.
“When we left out of here this morning, we had an immense amount of hope,” Bethel said. “I’m grateful to the staff of Presbyterian. They worked valiantly. Fortunately, his wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family. And we’re grateful for that.”
The 33-year-old is in stable condition.
Officer Shane SeiberPhiladelphia Police Department
The SWAT team came to the scene and found the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Eric Lewis, an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department with a prior criminal record, hiding in a tree. Police say he was in possession of several guns, including a handgun that belonged to one of the injured officers. Some body-worn footage of the incident has been recovered.
Eric LewisPhiladelphia Police Department
Krasner said Lewis faces a slew of charges, including homicide of a law enforcement officer, nine counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer and nine counts of attempted murder. Krasner said he will likely be held without bail.
A procession got underway for Seiber around noon.
Mayor Cherelle Parker says she met with the officers’ families.
"Today, police officer Shane Seiber paid the ultimate price while sacrificing his own life to protect and serve our city," Parker said. "Because of his noble and courageous and valiant choice to serve, a 40-year-old servant leader of our Philadelphia village is gone too soon. A wife is now without her husband. Two babies are without their father."
Parker said all flags will fly at half-staff until sunset on the day of Seiber's interment.
"Lori and I are praying for Officer Seiber’s loved ones and the entire Philly police family as they grieve the loss of one of their brothers in uniform," Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote in a social media post. "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."This is a developing news story. Stay with KYW Newsradio on-air for the latest updates.
