Police officer killed, partner critically injured in West Philadelphia ambush

Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel confirmed that Officer Shane Seiber, 40, was killed and his partner was critically wounded after an ambush on the 100 block of North 52nd Street in West Philadelphia just after midnight on Oct. 10, 2026.

Seiber, a ten‑year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, suffered three gunshot wounds and later died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. His partner, a 33‑year‑old father of five, was hit twelve times; he remains in intensive care but is reported to be stable.

The suspect, identified as Eric Lewis, an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department, opened fire on the two officers as they stepped onto a porch following a 12:22 a.m. call about a man with a gun. Lewis then continued shooting at additional officers, firing at a total of eleven officers before fleeing the scene.

Police recovered a shotgun and two handguns, one of which had been taken from an officer during the exchange. After a brief pursuit, Lewis climbed a tree, where a SWAT team located and apprehended him.

District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office will pursue charges, and city officials emphasized the need for stronger mental‑health and substance‑use interventions. Mayor Cherelle Parker said the tragedy underscores the importance of expanding involuntary commitment laws to address behavioral challenges that threaten public safety.

Bethel praised the department’s response, stating, "I am so damn proud of the men and women who serve in this department. Consistently, they go into danger, and they give their lives for this job." He added that the department will continue to support the injured officer’s family and the community as the investigation proceeds.