Philadelphia police announced on Saturday that Officer Hector Rodriguez III was released from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center after more than two weeks of treatment for injuries sustained in a deadly ambush on Oct. 10. Rodriguez, 33, was shot 12 times while responding to a call with his partner, Officer Shane Seiber, who later died from his wounds.
Community and department rally around the wounded officer
Photos and video posted by the Philadelphia Police Department show Rodriguez seated upright on a stretcher as he was wheeled through an entryway packed with cheering supporters. The department’s official X account wrote, “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!”
Details of the Oct. 10 incident
At approximately 12:17 a.m. on Oct. 10, Rodriguez and Seiber were dispatched to a West Philadelphia residence after a report of a man with a gun. Officers encountered a suspect on the porch, and a struggle quickly escalated. Both officers were shot; Seiber, 40, died later that morning. Rodriguez, though gravely wounded, survived and was rushed to Penn Presbyterian.
Additional gunfire followed the initial exchange, prompting police to establish a barricade. SWAT units later apprehended the suspect, 35‑year‑old Eric Lewis, who was found hiding in a tree. Lewis, an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department, now faces more than 70 criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder of a law‑enforcement officer, aggravated assault and terroristic threats. He is being held without bail.
Federal charges and potential sentencing
Lewis has also been indicted on federal counts such as interstate commerce robbery, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf emphasized that Lewis is prohibited by federal law from possessing or using a firearm. “No one attacks law enforcement without facing the consequences,” Metcalf said.
If convicted, the federal charges carry a statutory maximum of life imprisonment and a minimum of ten years.
Impact on the police family and community
Officer Seiber was an Air Force veteran who served ten years with the Philadelphia Police Department. He leaves behind a wife, a seven‑year‑old son and a three‑year‑old daughter. The department and the broader community have rallied around the families of both officers, offering support and prayers.
The incident underscores the dangers faced by Philadelphia’s law‑enforcement officers and the department’s commitment to stand with its members during recovery. As Rodriguez continues his healing process, the city’s police force and residents remain united in gratitude for his service and in resolve to bring justice to those responsible for the attack.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
