The man accused of killing a Philadelphia police officer and wounding another is now facing federal charges, years after he was acquitted in a separate murder case.
Eric Lewis, 35, has been charged 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.
The charges follow shooting that killed Officer Shane Seiber, a 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department assigned to the 19th District.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania David Metcalf was joined by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree during a new conference on Thursday to announce the charges.
“No one attacks law enforcement without facing the consequences,” Metcalf said
“From the morning we lost Sergeant Shane Seiber, and Officer Hector Rodriguez suffered devastating injuries, our federal partners stood beside our officers and their families with compassion, resources, and an unwavering commitment to justice,” Bethel added.
The new charges come as Lewis’ previous involvement in a homicide case is drawing renewed attention, including questions about investigative misconduct that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said led to his acquittal.
Lewis previously acquitted in 2019 Philadelphia murder
The NBC10 Investigators previously reported that Lewis was arrested in November 2020 in connection with the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Christopher Williams in West Philadelphia on Aug. 31, 2019.
Lewis was later acquitted at trial, a decision Krasner said resulted from serious misconduct by detectives and police officers involved in the investigation.
“We were dealing with a guilty man,” Krasner said.
Krasner described the 2019 killing as a “road rage murder” and said the judge had “no choice” but to find Lewis not guilty because of multiple investigative failures.
According to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by the NBC10 Investigators, Williams was driving near Fallon Street and Wyalusing Avenue when he encountered a Nissan SUV allegedly blocking the street.
Investigators said an argument broke out between Williams and the occupants of the SUV before a man exited the vehicle, pulled out a handgun and opened fire.
Williams was shot multiple times and later died at a hospital. A passenger in his vehicle suffered graze wounds to the leg, according to court documents.
A witness later identified Lewis as the gunman in a photo lineup, leading to his arrest in November 2020.
Despite that identification, the case ended in an acquittal.
Loved ones honor fallen Officer Shane Seiber at funeral
Hundreds gathered for a funeral for Seiber, husband and father to a 7-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.
We’re all going to miss him very, very much,” Dan Farris, Officer Seiber’s uncle, said at the service. “It’s been a very rough couple of days for our family.”
Officer Hector Rodriguez, who was shot twelve times the night that Officer Seiber was killed, also attended the funeral. He was taken to the Basilica from the hospital, and his doctors were by his side during the service.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel presented Officer Seiber’s family with the Philadelphia Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart, vowing that the department will remember the officer not because of how he died, but for how he lived.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker also delivered heartfelt remarks during the funeral.
“Shane was truly the very best of us. He had a heart for service and care deeply about making other lives better,” Shapiro said.
The funeral service was followed by a private interment.
A Commander’s March for Officer Seiber, 40, was then held at Archbishop Ryan High School at 11201 Academy Road in Philadelphia.
The march proceeded to the John F. Givnish Funeral Home on 10975 Academy Road in Philadelphia where a viewing for Officer Seiber was held.