Philly Daily ran my On Crime column today.
You can read the column via the link below or the following text:
Paul Davis: Feds take over prosecution of suspected cop killer – Philly Daily
Considering all of the recent legal actions and accusations against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, I’m glad that U.S. Attorney David Metcalf is prosecuting the suspect in murder of a Philadelphia police officer and the wounding of another Philadelphia police officer.
Krasner’s office has been issued federal
grand jury subpoenas following a referral by a federal judge to the Justice
department for potential prosecution involving criminal misconduct. The subpoenas are suspected
to be related to possible obstruction of justice, perjury and conspiracy
committed while relitigating a 2009 murder case.
In addition to that troublesome action, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, who under normal circumstances does not speak out about the actions of other government agencies, sharply criticized Krasner concerning a video by the DA that addressed a suspect's 2019 murder acquittal, which is now connected to the killing of a city police officer.
In the video, Krasner spoke of
Lewis' acquittal on a murder charge in 2019 and he blamed the police
investigation, even calling one of the officers’ conduct criminal.
"We fight behind the
scenes all the time, but we never bring that to the forefront, particularly in
a time like that," Bethel said.
Bethel added that the focus of
law enforcement should be on the victims and their families rather than
pointing fingers.
On October 22, 2026, Metcalf, along with Bethel and
ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree, held a news conference in which he announced
the indictment of Eric Lewis (seen in the top photo), 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on charges
arising from the ambush shooting this month that killed Philadelphia Police
Officer Shane Seiber (seen in the above photo) and seriously wounded his partner, Philadelphia Police
Officer Hector Rodriguez III.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), the five-count
indictment charges Lewis with interference 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 has moved in interstate
commerce, and possession of a stolen firearm and stolen ammunition.
“No one attacks law enforcement without facing the
consequences,” Metcalf said. “Our thoughts remain with Officer Seiber’s loved
ones and the Philadelphia Police Department. We also continue to pray for a
swift and complete recovery for Officer Rodriguez. We can never right the
terrible wrongs of October 10, 2026. But we can and will bring the person
responsible to justice.”
Bethel added, “From the morning we lost Sergeant
Shane Seiber, and Officer Hector Rodriguez suffered devastating injuries, our
federal partners stood beside our officers and their families with compassion,
resources, and an unwavering commitment to justice. U.S. Attorney David
Metcalf, ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree, and their teams have backed
that commitment with action.
“That is what leadership and partnership demand:
showing up when people need you most and doing the work to pursue
accountability. These charges represent another important step toward justice
for Shane, Hector, and their families.”
“These federal firearms charges are an important step
to hold this suspect responsible for the violent, repugnant, and cowardly acts
he is accused of,” DeGree said. “These firearms and related charges are serious
offenses with significant mandatory prison sentences. In cooperation the United
States Attorney, Philadelphia Police Department and other partners, ATF is
committed to use the entire scope of lawful authority to pursue violent
criminals who unlawfully utilize firearms to commit violence against law
enforcement and our communities.”
The indictment alleges that, on the night of October
10, 2026, Lewis, who was in possession of a loaded 9mm semiautomatic, privately
manufactured firearm (“ghost gun”) and a loaded 12-gauge short-barreled
shotgun, shot Officers Seiber and Rodriguez, then took a PPD-issued Glock 17
9mm handgun from the wounded Officer Rodriguez.
Lewis had previously been convicted of a crime
punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and was not permitted
to possess firearms or ammunition.
"At a time when our department was hurting, our federal partners didn't wait to ask for help, they reached out. They offered support and they stood beside us. That is what partnership looks like," Bethel said.
Paul Davis’s On Crime column appears here each week. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.
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