1 Philadelphia police officer dead, 1 critical after West Philly ambush

PHILADELPHIA – A 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia police force has died and his partner remains hospitalized after he was ambushed and shot multiple times while responding to a call early Saturday morning in West Philadelphia.

What we know:

Officers were called to the 100 block of North 52nd Street just after midnight for reports of a person with a gun. When officers arrived, they were met with a barrage of gunfire in what an officer at the scene described as an ambush.

Responding officers found the two injured officers on a porch with serious gunshot wounds.

At a press conference Saturday morning, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed the tragic death of one of the officers. The fallen officer, identified as Shane Sieber, was a 40-year veteran with 10 years of law enforcement experience. He leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. He was shot three times.

“He fought valiantly, but he lost his life today,” Bethel said. “His wife was able to be by his side before his death, as well as his family.”

The second officer, a 33-year-old father of five who was shot 12 times, is currently in stable condition, although Bethel noted he is “not out of the woods.”

After the first shooting, the suspect fled and fired at other officers in a nearby alley, but no other officers were hit. The suspect then climbed a tree to hide and eventually surrendered after SWAT units arrived. Bethel confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and is being charged with the District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators recovered three firearms related to the incident, including two handguns and a shotgun.

What they say:

Mayor Parker noted the profound loss felt by the city and expressed her frustration with the violence, noting that this is the third tragic loss of life the city has experienced in the past week.

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

“We come to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and are seeking legislation that would expand involuntary commitment laws to cover not only serious mental illnesses, but also substance use disorders and any type of mental and/or behavioral challenge that could interfere with Philadelphia’s ability to keep Philadelphia safe,” Parker said. “We can no longer act as if existing laws are enough to protect the Commonwealth.”