10-Year Police Veteran Killed After Responding to Gun Report in Philadelphia

A Philadelphia police officer has been shot and killed, while another was wounded, after the pair responded to a report of a man with a gun in west Philadelphia, authorities said.

Officer Shane Seiber, 40, died early Saturday, October 10, after the shooting. Seiber had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years, according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.

The two officers were taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment and underwent surgery. The surviving officer was reported to be in stable condition, although authorities said he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that Eric Lewis, 35, had been charged with homicide in connection with Seiber’s death. Lewis also faces additional charges, including attempted homicide, over the shooting of the second officer and alleged gunfire directed at nine other officers who responded to the scene. Those nine officers were not injured.

Authorities said the shooting began after officers responded to a report of an armed man. The incident prompted a major police response in the neighbourhood as officers worked to secure the scene and take the suspect into custody.

Lewis is being held without bail, according to prosecutors. Court records cited by the Associated Press show that he had previous convictions involving assault, theft and carrying a firearm in public. The charges relating to the latest incident remain allegations to be addressed through the judicial process.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of Seiber. The officer is survived by his wife and two children, a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.

District Attorney Krasner condemned the killing as a “brutal, senseless, horrific killing,” while city officials expressed support for the injured officer, Seiber’s family and members of the Philadelphia Police Department.

The shooting has renewed concerns about the dangers officers face when responding to reports of armed individuals. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident as the criminal case against Lewis proceeds.