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Accused Philadelphia cop killer Eric Lewis faces new federal gun, robbery charges after deadly ambush

22 October 2026 at 19:07

The man accused of ambushing two Philadelphia police officers, killing one and wounding another, now faces federal charges.

Eric Lewis, 35, is accused of fatally shooting Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and wounding his partner. He faces a range of state charges, among them 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 related offenses.

In addition to the state-level charges, Lewis on Thursday was indicted on federal charges of 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.

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If convicted, the charges bring a statutory maximum of life in prison and a minimum of 10 years.

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At a news conference on Thursday, David Metcalf, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said that Lewis wasn't allowed to carry a gun under U.S. law.

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"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.

Philly officer murdered in line of duty promoted to sergeant as police from around US attend his funeral

21 October 2026 at 13:00

PHILADELPHIA — Thousands of police officers from around the U.S. traveled to the City of Brotherly Love Tuesday for the funeral of Shane Seiber, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Oct. 10, when prosecutors say an armed suspect shot him and his partner.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel announced during the service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul that Seiber had been promoted posthumously to the rank of sergeant.

Seiber had served 10 years in the department after spending the prior decade in the Air Force, where he deployed for two tours in Iraq.

Officers from around Pennsylvania and other states packed the memorial service to pay their respects.

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Seiber and his partner were responding to a report of a man waving a gun in West Philadelphia when prosecutors say a man named Eric Lewis approached them from behind and asked what they were doing on his doorstep.

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They got into an argument, a struggle ensued and then Lewis allegedly opened fire, striking Seiber three times and his partner 12. Lewis was arrested after a standoff with SWAT officers — allegedly carrying two handguns, one belonging to the officers, and a shotgun.

FOX 29 Philadelphia has identified Seiber's partner as Officer Hector Rodriguez III, a 33-year-old father of five. He survived his injuries.

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Lewis, 35, had been acquitted at trial in a prior murder case, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who blamed a "deeply flawed" investigation.

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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced that the city would create an annual internship program for public service in Seiber's honor during a eulogy Tuesday, describing him as "a giant of a man" and "clearly a gentleman of the first class."

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Prior to joining the police department, he served in the Air Force and deployed for two tours in Iraq, she said.

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Seiber is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their children Finn, 7, and Emily, 3.

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Fox News' CB Cotton contributed to this report.

DOJ sends grand jury subpoenas to Philadelphia DA Krasner after judge's referral, sources say

20 October 2026 at 13:49

The Justice Department sent grand jury subpoenas to Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's office in recent days, Fox News has learned.

Two sources briefed on the subpoenas say they are related to potential obstruction of justice relating to the handling of cases before federal judges. The sources said the subpoenas came as a result of a federal judge referring Krasner and his top deputy to the DOJ for possible criminal investigation.

Krasner's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The DOJ declined to comment.

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Reports of the subpoenas come more than a month after U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond referred Krasner and his deputy, Matthew Stiegler, to the DOJ, saying evidence uncovered in a murder conviction case could constitute false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

Neither man has been charged.

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Diamond also disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the case but declined to disqualify the entire DA's office.

The judge alleged that Krasner and Stiegler sought to pressure prosecutors into presenting a false narrative to the court and that Krasner warned of "consequences" if staff alerted the court to an internal conflict.

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"I have thus reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia’s highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law," Diamond wrote.

The dispute stems from the case of Dennis Johnson, who was convicted in 2009 of killing Kenyatta Smith.

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The DA’s office said in a 2022 filing that Johnson was entitled to habeas corpus relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel, according to The Associated Press.

Prosecutors later raised potential conflicts involving Stiegler and urged that the matter be referred to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

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According to the opinion, Krasner opposed that move and repeatedly said someone from his office needed to remain involved to "protect the office."

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"I respectfully and vigorously disagree with the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law," Krasner said in a statement at the time. "I look forward to appealing to the higher court as soon as the law allows. This remains a pending matter, which limits for now my and my office’s ability to respond in the media."

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