A federal grand jury has indicted Eric Lewis, 35, of Philadelphia, on five counts arising from the ambush shooting on October 10, 2026, that killed Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and seriously wounded his partner, Officer Hector Rodriguez III, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced at a news conference on Thursday, October 22.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
The indictment charges Lewis, as alleged, 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, according to the Justice Department.
Prosecutors allege that on the night of October 10, Lewis, who was in possession of a loaded 9mm privately manufactured firearm, known as a ghost gun, and a loaded 12-gauge short-barrelled shotgun, shot Officers Seiber and Rodriguez and then took a Philadelphia Police Department-issued Glock 17 handgun from the wounded Officer Rodriguez. The indictment alleges Lewis had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison and was not permitted to possess firearms or ammunition.
Five federal counts, including robbery, a firearms discharge during a crime of violence, and felon-in-possession. If convicted, Lewis faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years, according to the Justice Department.
"No one attacks law enforcement without facing the consequences," U.S. Attorney Metcalf said, according to the Justice Department statement, which was also reported by Fox News. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree joined the announcement. The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the ATF.
Officer Seiber was posthumously promoted to sergeant, and fellow officers paid their respects at his funeral service on Tuesday, October 20, Fox News reported. The charges in the indictment are allegations only. Lewis is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.