Eric Lewis, accused of ambushing and killing a Philadelphia police officer, faces numerous charges. These include murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, and 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer.
Lewis was previously acquitted of murder in 2019, with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner blaming police misconduct for the outcome. Officer Shane Seiber, the victim, was identified as a 40-year-old father of two and Air Force veteran who served with the Philadelphia Police Department for a decade.
Krasner stated that the acquittal resulted from flawed investigations and misconduct by involved officers. An officer in the prior case allegedly fabricated a tip about a fictional person named “Spice” as the actual killer. This misconduct led to disciplinary actions within the police department.
The Philadelphia Police Department responded by emphasizing that assigning blame during grieving doesn’t foster accountability or support. Leadership should stand with the families and scrutinize its actions.
Lewis’s criminal record began in 2012 with a theft conviction, followed by gun-related offenses in 2013, and a guilty plea in 2018 for disorderly conduct involving fighting. He was an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department.
Officer Seiber leaves behind his wife and two children.