Philadelphia police Officer Hector Rodriguez III left Penn Presbyterian Medical Center to cheers more than two weeks after surviving an ambush that killed his partner. Rodriguez was shot 12 times in the Oct. 10 attack in West Philadelphia and is continuing his recovery. His partner, Officer Shane Seiber, died from his injuries, while suspect Eric Lewis faces state and federal charges.
Police officers, medical staff and other supporters gathered outside the hospital as Rodriguez was wheeled to an ambulance on a stretcher. The 33-year-old officer has served with the Philadelphia Police Department for nine years and has been assigned to the 19th District since December 2018.
Lewis, 35, is being held without bail and faces 76 state charges connected to the shooting. A federal indictment also accuses him of firearm and robbery offenses that could carry a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is convicted.
| 1) | Officer leaves hospital amid public support |
| 2) | Overnight ambush begins with emergency call |
| 3) | Partner dies after officers are shot |
| 4) | Suspect faces extensive state and federal charges |
| 5) | Court proceedings remain pending |
Officer leaves hospital amid public support
Rodriguez was released from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center over the weekend, just over two weeks after the shooting. Video and photographs showed him sitting upright on a stretcher while supporters and police officers applauded as he left the building. An ambulance then transported him away from the hospital so he could continue recovering outside inpatient care.
The police department thanked Rodriguez’s medical team, his family and members of the department who supported him. Rodriguez’s release marked a major development in his recovery, although officials did not provide additional details about his injuries or a timetable for his return to duty.
Overnight ambush begins with emergency call
At approximately 12:17 a.m. on Oct. 10, Rodriguez and Seiber were dispatched to a residence in West Philadelphia following a report of a man with a gun. Police said the officers encountered a man on the porch, where a struggle then began.
Both officers were shot during the encounter. Additional gunfire followed, and responding officers found Rodriguez and Seiber unresponsive on the porch. They transported both officers to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where they received emergency treatment.
The subsequent gunfire led police to declare a barricade situation. A SWAT operation eventually resulted in Lewis being taken into custody. The investigation and court filings identify Lewis as the defendant in the attack, but the charges remain allegations unless proven in court.
Partner dies after officers are shot
Seiber, 40, died from his injuries later on the morning of the shooting. He was an Air Force veteran who had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years. He left behind a wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
Seiber was posthumously promoted after the attack. Officers and members of the public later paid their respects at his funeral, recognizing his service and the circumstances of his death. Rodriguez survived after being shot 12 times and remained hospitalized until his release.
“This morning, we clapped P/O Hector Rodriguez out of Penn Presbyterian as he left to continue his recovery. Thank you to his medical team and everyone who has supported Hector, his family and our PPD family. We’ll be beside him every step of the way!”
Suspect faces extensive state and federal charges
Lewis, an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department, faces 76 state charges related to the attack. The allegations include murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and terroristic threats. He is being held without bail.
Federal prosecutors also charged Lewis 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 had moved in interstate commerce, and possession of a stolen firearm and stolen ammunition.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said federal law barred Lewis from possessing a firearm because he is a convicted felon. Metcalf said the law also prohibited him from stealing or using a firearm in a robbery and in an attack on a police officer. The federal charges carry a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum sentence of 10 years if Lewis is convicted.
Court proceedings remain pending
Lewis had been expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on the state charges, but the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said the hearing would be continued. As of the latest report, a new date had not been set.
The federal indictment adds a separate layer to the case while Rodriguez continues his medical recovery. Future court proceedings are expected to address the state allegations, the federal charges and the evidence gathered from the shooting, barricade operation and alleged firearm offenses.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hector Rodriguez III was released after being shot 12 times. |
| 2 | Shane Seiber died from injuries sustained in the Oct. 10 attack. |
| 3 | Eric Lewis faces 76 state charges and separate federal firearm and robbery charges. |
| 4 | Lewis is being held without bail, and his preliminary hearing was postponed. |
Summary
The release of Rodriguez provides a hopeful development following a deadly police shooting in West Philadelphia. Seiber’s death and the extensive charges against Lewis continue to shape the criminal case. Rodriguez remains in recovery while the state and federal proceedings move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Officer Hector Rodriguez III released?
Rodriguez was released from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center over the weekend, just over two weeks after the Oct. 10 attack.
What happened to Officer Shane Seiber?
Seiber was shot during the same encounter and died from his injuries later that morning. He was 40 years old and a 10-year department veteran.
What charges does Eric Lewis face?
Lewis faces 76 state charges, including murder and offenses involving the alleged shooting of law enforcement officers, as well as federal charges involving robbery, firearms and ammunition.
Has Lewis’s preliminary hearing occurred?
No. The preliminary hearing was continued, and a new date had not been set in the latest report.
