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A gunman suspected of shooting a Philadelphia police officer multiple times in an “assassination” style assault is Islamic and pledged allegiance to ISIS.
The suspect, Edward Archer, 30, now in custody, “confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam [emphasis added],” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said during a news conference, ABC News reported. “According to him, he believed that the police defend laws that are contrary to the teachings of the Quran.”
Harnett managed to return fire hitting the assailant three times. Archer fled the scene, while the officer called in the incident on his radio: “Shots fired! I’m shot! I’m bleeding heavily!” Hartnett yelled after the attack.
Police captured Archer near the scene and both he and Officer Harnett were taken to area hospitals. The five-year veteran of the police force is expected to make a full recovery. There is no word on the status of the alleged attacker.
The 14th District of the Philadelphia Police tweeted out:
Thank the lord that one of own will recover after being ambushed & shot last night. Please use extreme caution while out on patrol!!
— PPD 14th District (@PPD14Dist) January 8, 2016
Commissioner Ross told reporters, “We’re thankful to God he’s here today because it easily could’ve been a police funeral,” according to CBS Philly. “When you look at the video, this is one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen,” he said. “This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming. It’s amazing he’s alive.” Harnett’s arm suffered significant damage and he will likely face a long road to full recovery. “It’s going to be a tough road, but he’s a tough guy,” said his father, Robert Hartnett. “I told him I love him, and I’m proud of him and he is an excellent person.”
We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our brave officer,Jesse Hartnett.Please keep him in your thoughts & prayers as he recovers — Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) January 8, 2016
Cynthia Hartnett, the officer’s aunt related to the New York Daily News, “He’s OK. He’s going to be OK.” “Jesse you’re a super hero,” his sister-in-law Ashley Hartnett wrote in a Friday morning Facebook post announcing that the lawman was out of surgery.
“My brother in law, a police officer in West Philadelphia, was shot at 13 times point blank while sitting in his patrol car at a red light last night … But it’s harder than that to take down a Hartnett.”