Philadelphia shooting suspect Eric Lewis had prior weapons and theft convictions

Eric Lewis, 35, faces 76 charges after killing one officer and wounding another in a West Philadelphia ambush. Court records show prior convictions dating back to 2012.

Philadelphia shooting suspect Eric Lewis had prior weapons and theft convictions

Philadelphia Water Department employee charged with murder of Officer Shane Seiber had criminal record

According to nbcphiladelphia.com, Eric Lewis — the 35-year-old Philadelphia Water Department employee accused of opening fire on 11 city police officers just after midnight on Saturday in West Philadelphia — has a criminal history spanning more than a decade, including prior weapons, theft and disorderly conduct convictions.

Lewis is facing 76 criminal charges in connection with the ambush, among them homicide of a law enforcement officer and murder for the killing of 40-year-old Officer Shane Seiber, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, terroristic threats and a range of related offences, court documents show.

The suspect's criminal record begins in 2012, when he was arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Both charges were downgraded to misdemeanours, and Lewis was ultimately found guilty, receiving a sentence of up to two years of probation.

The following year, in 2013, Lewis was arrested again — this time on three misdemeanour counts: carrying a firearm in public, possessing an instrument of crime with intent, and simple assault. He was sentenced in 2015 to a maximum of five years probation, with a minimum of three years.

In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct for engaging in a fight and was sentenced to a maximum of 12 months on probation.

Despite those prior convictions, Lewis held a position with the Philadelphia Water Department at the time of the alleged ambush, which took place shortly after midnight on Saturday in West Philadelphia.

Lewis was arraigned on Sunday and denied bail. His next court date is scheduled for 26 October 2026.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)