Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber Killed, Partner Wounded; Man Charged With Murder

A Philadelphia police officer was killed and his partner was badly wounded early Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, after the two answered a call about a man with a gun on a porch in West Philadelphia. A 35-year-old man is charged with murder.

Officer Shane Seiber, 40, a 10-year veteran of the department, was shot three times and died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. His wife and other relatives were with him at the hospital.

“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Bethel said at a news conference, as reported by CBS News Philadelphia and Fox News.

What police say happened

The two officers came under heavy gunfire as they approached the porch, Bethel said. The second officer, a 33-year-old father of five who has not been publicly named, was shot 12 times. He was later listed in stable condition.

More officers and a SWAT team were sent to the scene. District Attorney Larry Krasner said the gunman also fired at nine other officers, none of whom was hit, according to CBS News Philadelphia and The Associated Press.

Police pulled the suspect from a tree, where he had been hiding, and took him into custody. Officers recovered two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns had been taken from one of the wounded officers, Bethel said.

The charges

Krasner identified the suspect as Eric Lewis, 35. He is charged with homicide of a law enforcement officer, murder and attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, along with other offenses. Lewis is being held without bail, and his next court date is set for Oct. 26, 2026.

Lewis works for the Philadelphia Water Department, according to the union that represents many city workers, CBS News Philadelphia reported. Fox News also reported his employment with the department.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

A father of two

Seiber is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. Before joining the department, he served in the Air Force at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, according to the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge.

Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags flown at half-staff in his honor.