A 35-year-old Philadelphia man charged in the shooting death of a city police officer and the wounding of a second officer pleaded not guilty to every count against him at a federal arraignment on Thursday. Eric Lewis is accused in the October 10 gunfire in West Philadelphia that killed Sergeant Shane Seiber, 40, and left Officer Hector Rodriguez badly hurt.

What are the specific charges?

Lewis faces two parallel prosecutions. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office charged him with murder and attempted murder, including counts tied to killing and attempting to kill an officer. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania added a five-count federal indictment. In plain terms, those counts accuse him of:

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  • Robbing in a way that affected interstate commerce
  • Firing a gun during a violent crime
  • Illegally holding firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon
  • Stealing a gun that had crossed state lines
  • Possessing a stolen gun and stolen ammunition

He is being held in city custody while both cases proceed.

Why is the case drawing attention beyond the courtroom?

The case has exposed a public rift between District Attorney Larry Krasner and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. Lewis was charged in the 2019 killing of Christopher Williams but was later acquitted. Krasner blamed the police investigation, saying an officer involved had been dating Lewis's sister, and court transcripts obtained by NBC10 raised questions about cellphone records that were never obtained. Bethel criticized Krasner for a video addressing that acquittal, saying the focus should stay on victims and their families. According to Broad and Liberty, Krasner's office is also facing federal grand jury subpoenas tied to a separate 2009 murder case.

What happens next?

The two tracks will likely proceed on different schedules, with federal and local judges setting hearings and eventually trial dates. Seiber's widow, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf and senior police officials attended Thursday's hearing, according to KYW Newsradio. Rodriguez was shot multiple times but has since been released from the hospital.

FAQ

Did Lewis plead guilty to any charge?

No. He entered not guilty pleas to all charges in federal court on Thursday and remains in custody.

Is the federal case separate from the murder case?

Yes. Local prosecutors charged murder, while federal prosecutors brought robbery and firearms counts; both cases are moving forward at the same time.