PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A police officer who was shot 12 times in West Philadelphia on Oct. 10 has been released from the hospital.
Hundreds of law enforcement members looked on Saturday morning as 33-year-old Officer Hector Rodriguez was wheeled out of Penn Presbyterian Hospital on a stretcher.
Deputy Police Commissioner John Stanford said it was a long-awaited moment of joy after days of sorrow following the death of Officer Shane Seiber, who died after the shooting.
“Two weeks ago we stood here with tears of sadness as we honored Officer Shane Seiber leaving the hospital and being prepared to be laid to rest and two weeks later we’re here today with tears of joy as we’re seeing Officer Rodriguez being released from Penn and transported to his next phase of recovery.”
Conner Barkon/KYW Newsradio
Seiber was shot three times and died. The 10-year veteran of the police force leaves behind a wife and two young children, ages 7 and 3.
The suspect, Eric Lewis, is charged with murder. He was also indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including "interference with interstate commerce by robbery."
Police allege Lewis ambushed Seiber and Rodriguez, then stole Rodriguez's gun before running away and shooting at other officers.
Lewis is a convicted felon who was acquitted in a prior murder case.
