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Philadelphia police officer fatally shot; Eric Lewis identified as alleged shooter
Inquirer.com • • nation
Key Points:
- A Philadelphia police officer, Shane Seiber, was killed and another critically wounded in a shotgun ambush by Eric Lewis, a city employee, outside Lewis's West Philadelphia home early Saturday.
- Seiber, a 10-year veteran, died from three gunshot wounds, while his colleague, shot 12 times, remains hospitalized in stable but serious condition; Lewis also fired at responding officers and stole a police Glock before being arrested.
- Lewis faces multiple charges including murder and attempted murder and will be held without bail; he has a criminal history and works as a trades helper for the city water department.
- The shooting prompted mourning among city officials, police, and the community, with calls for expanded mental health and substance use interventions to prevent similar tragedies.
- Local residents expressed shock and sadness over the incident, highlighting the neighborhood's generally peaceful nature and empathizing with the officers' families.
