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DA announces charges, names suspect in fatal West Philadelphia police ambush
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has announced charges against Eric Lewis in connection with the tragic West Philadelphia police ambush. Lewis faces numerous charges, including the homicide of a law enforcement officer, after shooting two officers—one fatally—and firing at nine additional responding officers, bringing the total number of victims to 11. He is currently in police custody and will be held without bail as the investigation continues.
The suspect arrested after the Saturday morning shooting that killed one Philadelphia Police Department officer and injured one other officer will face approximately 80 charges, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced Saturday.
Big picture view:
Eric Lewis is accused of opening fire on a total of 11 law enforcement officers, including the two who were injured just after midnight in what another officer described as an ambush. District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the charges during a news conference that afternoon.
The charges include homicide of a law enforcement officer and murder, in relation to the killing of the officer, as well as 10 counts each of attempted homicide and attempted murder, stemming from the shooting of the injured officer and allegedly firing at nine other officers. He also faces a host of additional lesser charges.
What they're saying:
"This community is an area where our community outreach personnel frequently go and this community right now is shaken by the horrific actions that occurred here last night," Kransner said.
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Veteran Philadelphia officer killed
Mayor Cherelle Parker and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed the officer’s passing during a Saturday morning news conference. 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."
Police ‘ambushed’
Timeline:
The two officers were met with a barrage of gunfire after responding to a report of a person with a gun in the 100 block of North 52nd Street in West Philadelphia. Responding officers found the two wounded policemen on a porch with serious gunshot injuries.
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.
Investigators have recovered three firearms connected to the incident, including two handguns and a shotgun.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from the Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. This story was reported from Orlando.