PHILADELPHIA – A 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department has died and his partner remains hospitalized after they were ambushed and shot multiple times while responding to a call early Saturday morning in West Philadelphia.
What we know:
Officers were called to the 100 block of North 52nd Street just after midnight for a report of a person with a gun. When officers arrived, they were met with a barrage of gunfire in what an officer at the scene described as an ambush.
Responding officers found the two wounded policemen on a porch with serious gunshot injuries.
During a Saturday morning press conference, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed the tragic passing of one of the officers. The fallen officer—identified as Shane Sieber—was a 40-year-old, 10-year veteran of the force. He leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. He was shot three times.
“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Bethel said. “His wife was able to be by his side before he passed, as well as his family.”
The second officer, a 33-year-old father of five who was shot 12 times, is currently in stable condition, though Bethel noted he is “not out of the woods.”
After the initial shooting, the suspect ran away and fired at additional officers in a nearby alley, though no other officers were hit. The suspect then climbed a tree to hide and eventually surrendered after SWAT units arrived. Bethel confirmed the suspect is currently in custody, going through the charging process with the District Attorney’s office.
Investigators have recovered three firearms connected to the incident, including two handguns and a shotgun.
What they’re saying:
Mayor Parker emphasized the deep loss felt by the city and expressed her frustration over the violence, noting this is the third tragic loss of life the city has experienced over the past week.
In response, Parker announced she is working with Governor Josh Shapiro and state officials to seek legislation that would expand Pennsylvania’s involuntary commitment laws.
“We are coming to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and seek legislation that will expand involuntary commitment laws to cover not only severe mental illness but substance use disorder and any kind of mental and/or behavioral challenge that could interfere with Philadelphia’s ability to keep itself safe,” Parker stated. “We can no longer act as if the laws we have on the books are enough to protect the Commonwealth.”
The Source: Information in this article was gathered from the Philadelphia Police Department.