Officer shot 12 times leaves hospital after partner's death

Officer Hector Rodriguez III rolled out of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center on Sunday in a stretcher, greeted by a crowd of cheering supporters. He was released just over two weeks after an ambush that killed his partner and left him with 12 bullet wounds.

The Philadelphia Police Department shared video of Rodriguez sitting upright as he was wheeled through an entryway packed with people. An ambulance then took him away to continue his recovery. The department posted on X that the team was clapping him out and thanking the medical staff and family for their support.

Rodriguez, 33, has served in the department for nine years. He has been assigned to the 19th District since December 2018. His partner, Officer Shane Seiber, 40, died from his injuries later that morning on Oct. 10.

The attack began at 12:17 a.m. on Oct. 10 when the officers responded to a report of a man with a gun at a residence in West Philadelphia. They found a man on the porch, a struggle ensued, and both officers were shot. Other officers arriving on the scene found them unresponsive and rushed them to the hospital.

Suspect Eric Lewis, 35, was taken into custody by SWAT officers after a barricade was declared following additional gunfire. Lewis, an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department, faces more than 70 criminal charges in state court. These include murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, and 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer.

He also faces aggravated assault and terroristic threats. The suspect is currently being held without bail. A preliminary hearing was expected for Monday, but the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said the hearing would be continued. No new date has been set yet.

Lewis was also indicted on federal charges on Thursday. The federal counts include interstate commerce by robbery, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He also faces theft of a firearm that moved in interstate commerce and possession of stolen firearms and ammunition.

If convicted on the federal charges, Lewis faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum of 10 years. David Metcalf, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said Lewis was a convicted felon under federal law and not allowed to possess a firearm. He stated that no one attacks law enforcement without facing the consequences.

Seiber was an Air Force veteran who served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years. He leaves behind his wife, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. Rodriguez will continue his recovery at home following his discharge from the hospital.