Prior case against man accused of killing Philadelphia officer fell through over police misconduct, DA says

The man accused of fatally shooting Philadelphia police officer Shane Seiber and injuring another had a prior murder case that was thrown out due to a "deeply troubled investigation" that involved another officer's romantic relationship, the city's top prosecutor said.

District Attorney Larry Krasner identified the suspected gunman as Eric Lewis. Lewis allegedly shot the two police officers, opening fire on Seiber and another officer from the porch of a home in West Philadelphia early Saturday morning. The second officer, who authorities said was shot 12 times, remains hospitalized.

In a statement, Krasner addressed Lewis' prior run-ins with the law, including a double shooting for which Lewis was ultimately found not guilty. In that Aug. 31, 2019, incident, Lewis was charged with murder and aggravated assault. Krasner described it as a "'road rage' double shooting."

"The excellent prosecutors involved did everything humanly possible with a deeply troubled investigation. A highly-respected judge was forced to find Lewis not guilty due to that troubling and deficient investigation," Krasner wrote.

"Some of the conduct involving one police officer and one detective is arguably criminal," Krasner said. "A police officer involved in this case turns out to have been in a relationship with the sister of this defendant, and tried, as a result of being in that relationship, to torpedo his own testimony."

Krasner alleged the officer fabricated a claim of receiving anonymous information.

The judge who heard the case said he planned to write to the police department's internal affairs division about "egregious and troubling conduct by sworn Philadelphia police personnel in investigating the case," Krasner said.

Lewis was charged with assault and gun crimes in 2021, but that case fell through after the key witness died of natural causes, Krasner said.

The DA's office said it is aware of 911 calls and other potential complaints of violence involving Lewis, and encourages anyone with information to reach out to prosecutors and police with tips.

In a statement, the Philadelphia Police Department said it will "continue to examine every aspect of this matter, including the prior investigation and prosecution."

"There will be a time to address the full record, but it is not now. Assigning blame while families are grieving does nothing to advance accountability or support those affected," the police department said, in part, in a statement.

The 35-year-old Lewis has an "extensive criminal record," Pennsylvania state Rep. Amen Brown said Saturday.  

In Saturday's shooting, Lewis is charged with homicide of a law enforcement officer, murder, attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer and related offenses. 

The shooting happened on the 100 block of North 52nd Street around 1 a.m. Saturday. Responding officers came under heavy gunfire after approaching the home, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. 

Investigators allege Lewis shot Seiber and another officer and fired at nine other officers. The nine other officers were not struck by gunfire, Krasner said Saturday.

Seiber was a 10-year veteran of the force and leaves behind a wife and two children.

The second officer, who has yet to be identified, has been with the Philadelphia Police Department for nine years and was assigned to the 19th District since 2018.

Lewis worked for the Philadelphia Water Department and was a member of District Council 33.