Eric Lewis Indicted on Federal Charges After Killing Philadelphia Cop

Eric Lewis now faces federal charges after ambushing two Philadelphia police officers, killing one and wounding the other. The accused man is 35 years old. He allegedly shot Officer Shane Seiber fatally and injured his partner during the attack. State courts already brought murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, ten counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and other related offenses against him.

On Thursday, federal prosecutors indicted Lewis on interstate commerce by robbery, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, theft of a firearm that moved in interstate commerce, and possession of stolen firearms and ammunition. If convicted, the statutory maximum is life in prison while the minimum sentence reaches ten years. David Metcalf, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, held a news conference to announce these new charges.

Metcalf stated clearly that Lewis was not allowed to carry a gun under U.S. law. He explained that federal statutes forbid convicted felons from possessing firearms. Lewis certainly could not steal a firearm or use one to rob and kill police officers. Metcalf added that no one attacks law enforcement without facing consequences when new charges are announced.

The wounded officer, Hector Rodriguez III, remains hospitalized but in stable condition after being shot twelve times during the early morning hours of Oct. 10. Officers responded to a report of a man with a gun and found Lewis waiting for them. They faced significant gunfire immediately upon arrival. Both officers were discovered wounded on the porch shortly afterward.

Seiber was forty years old, an Air Force veteran, and a father of two who spent ten years serving with the Philadelphia Police Department. He leaves behind his wife, a seven-year-old son, and a three-year-old daughter. Court records reveal that Lewis worked for the Philadelphia Water Department and has a criminal history dating back to 2012.

A 2012 conviction for theft and receiving stolen property marked the start of his record. The following year he faced gun-related offenses and simple assault, resulting in probation. In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct involving fighting and received another sentence of probation. Earlier this month, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner noted that Lewis was acquitted in a previous murder case due to alleged police misconduct.

Krasner questioned why the man remained out of custody until now. He argued that a balanced judge did what had to do while two excellent prosecutors fought hard against an investigation full of serious errors. Some conduct involving one officer and one detective might arguably be criminal, according to Krasner. He claimed one police officer attempted to torpedo testimony by making up a complete lie because she was in a relationship with the defendant's sister.

The Philadelphia Police Department issued a statement to Fox News regarding these developments. Assigning blame while families grieve does nothing to advance accountability or support those affected. True leadership stands with families rather than seeking fault in moments like this.

When the moment arrives, the agency promises to apply that exact same standard to everyone else, according to a statement from the police department. That is their word on how they will handle things down the road. Fox News reporters CB Cotton, Maria Paronich and Landon Mion helped put this story together for you.