The man accused of ambushing two Philadelphia police officers—killing one and injuring the other—has now been indicted on federal charges.
Eric Lewis, 35, is charged with fatally shooting Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and wounding Seiber’s partner. His state case includes murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and other offenses.
The federal indictment returned Thursday adds charges including robbery affecting interstate commerce, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, theft of a firearm that traveled in interstate commerce, and possession of stolen firearms and ammunition.
Lewis faces 76 charges in all, including murder, attempted murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer and 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. (Philadelphia Police Department)
A conviction on the federal charges could result in a sentence ranging from a 10-year minimum to life in prison.
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Seiber, 40, was a father of two and an Air Force veteran who served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years. (Philadelphia Police Department)
David Metcalf, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said at a news conference Thursday that federal law barred Lewis from possessing a firearm.
Officers pay their respects at the funeral of Philadelphia Police Sgt. Shane Seiber on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. Seiber was posthumously promoted after he and his partner were shot in the line of duty on Oct. 10. His partner survived the ambush. (Kyle Mazza/CNP for News Media)
“Under federal law, Eric Lewis is not allowed to possess a firearm. He is a convicted felon under federal law. He is certainly not allowed to steal a firearm, and under federal law, he is certainly prohibited from using any firearm to rob, shoot, and kill a police officer, as a result of those actions,” Metcalf said.
This is a developing story.