DA Krasner shares new information on Philly officer shooting suspect's violent past

PHILADELPHIA - District Attorney Larry Krasner commented on two previous violent cases against Eric Lewis, a 35-year-old man charged in a shooting that killed a police officer and wounded another last weekend.

What we know:

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner commented Tuesday on two previous cases involving Eric Lewis, including a 2019 road rage double shooting and a 2021 assault and weapons charge. 

2019 road rage double shooting

Lewis was charged, based on probable cause, with murder, aggravated assault, and more in the August 31, 2019 road rage shooting. However, Krasner's office said the case fell apart due to a "deeply troubled investigation."

"The excellent prosecutors did everything humanly possible with a deeply troubled investigation," the District Attorney's Office said. "A highly-respected judge was forced to find Lewis not guilty due to that troubling and deficient investigation."

In a video statement posted on YouTube, Krasner went into detail about the allegedly flawed investigation, revealing that one of the officers involved in the case was in a relationship with Lewis's sister and tried to "torpedo his own testimony."

Krasner alleged the officer lied about receiving anonymous information about a made-up person named Spice who he tried to pin the shooting on. 

"This is beyond outrageous," Krasner said in the selfie-style video. "This is giving false information to law enforcement…it's an obstruction of the administration of justice."

The judge in the case, according to the DA's office, requested the Philadelphia Police Department's Internal Affairs Division review the investigation and consider disciplinary action. 

"The judge is from a law enforcement family, that judge, in his whole career – and he's highly respected by both sides – to the best of my knowledge has never sent police officers to be investigated by internal affairs."

2021 assault and gun charges

Lewis was also charged with assault and gun charges in 2021 and was held for trial, but that case also fell apart after prosecutors say the key victim/witness died.

"The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is deeply committed to holding defendant Eric Lewis accountable and fighting for justice for those impacted by these very serious and violent crime," the DA's office said.

Philadelphia Police Department issues statement]

The other side:

Late Tuesday afternoon, Philadelphia police released a statement of their own pertaining to Lewis' past run-ins with law enforcement, saying in part that their focus remains on supporting Officer Seiber's family and their grieving officers. 

"We will continue to examine every aspect of this matter, including the prior investigation and prosecution. Where accountability is warranted, we will act, as Commissioner Bethel has already demonstrated. 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 statement began. "True leadership does not seek to assign fault in a moment like this. It stands with the families. And when the time comes, it holds itself to the same scrutiny it asks of others. We will have more to say. Right now, these families deserve our attention, our support and our respect."

The backstory:

Eric Lewis, 35, is accused of ambushing Philadelphia police officers as they responded to a call about a person with a gun on the 100 block of North 52nd Street around midnight Saturday, 

Officer Shane Seiber, 40, was shot three times and later died from his injuries after being rushed to the hospital. Another wounded officer, a 33-year-old father of five, was shot a dozen times and remains hospitalized. 

Investigators say Lewis ran away from the shooting scene and fired at more officers in a nearby alley before climbing a tree to hide and eventually surrendering to SWAT officers. Three firearms connected to the incident, including a shotgun, were recovered at the scene.

What they're saying:

Mayor Parker emphasized the deep loss felt by the city and expressed her frustration over the violence, noting this is the third tragic loss of life the city has experienced over the past week.

In response, Parker announced she is working with Governor Josh Shapiro and state officials to seek legislation that would expand Pennsylvania's involuntary commitment laws.

"We are coming to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and seek legislation that will expand involuntary commitment laws to cover not only severe mental illness but substance use disorder and any kind of mental and/or behavioral challenge that could interfere with Philadelphia's ability to keep itself safe," Parker stated. "We can no longer act as if the laws we have on the books are enough to protect the Commonwealth."

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