City man charged in connection with fatal shooting of Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber, wounding of Officer Hector Rodriguez III (DOJ)

PHILADELPHIA - At a news conference this afternoon, United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the indictment of Eric Lewis, 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on charges arising from the ambush shooting this month that killed Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and seriously wounded his partner, Philadelphia Police Officer Hector Rodriguez III.

The five-count indictment charges the defendant with interference with 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 has moved in interstate commerce, and possession of a stolen firearm and stolen ammunition.

U.S. Attorney Metcalf discussed the case today alongside Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree.

"No one attacks law enforcement without facing the consequences," U.S. Attorney Metcalf said. "Our thoughts remain with Officer Seiber's loved ones and the Philadelphia Police Department. We also continue to pray for a swift and complete recovery for Officer Rodriguez. We can never right the terrible wrongs of October 10, 2026. But we can and will bring the person responsible to justice."

"From the morning we lost Sergeant Shane Seiber, and Officer Hector Rodriguez suffered devastating injuries, our federal partners stood beside our officers and their families with compassion, resources, and an unwavering commitment to justice," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel. "U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree, and their teams have backed that commitment with action. That is what leadership and partnership demand: showing up when people need you most and doing the work to pursue accountability. These charges represent another important step toward justice for Shane, Hector, and their families."

"These federal firearms charges are an important step to hold this suspect responsible for the violent, repugnant, and cowardly acts he is accused of," said ATF Philadelphia Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree. "These firearms and related charges are serious offenses with significant mandatory prison sentences. In cooperation the United States Attorney, Philadelphia Police Department and other partners, ATF is committed to use the entire scope of lawful authority to pursue violent criminals who unlawfully utilize firearms to commit violence against law enforcement and our communities."

The indictment alleges that, on the night of October 10, 2026, Lewis, who was in possession of a loaded 9mm semiautomatic, privately manufactured firearm ("ghost gun") and a loaded 12-gauge short-barreled shotgun, shot Officers Seiber and Rodriguez, then took a PPD-issued Glock 17 9mm handgun from the wounded Officer Rodriguez.

Lewis had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and was not permitted to possess firearms or ammunition.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years' imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Doherty and David Osborne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Huaou Yan.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.