Officer is recovering, accused arrested.
AB Wire
A Philadelphia police officer is recovering after he was shot several times during an ambush late Thursday night in West Philadelphia. The accused, who authorities say tried to “assassinate†the officer, is alleged to have made the murderous attempt in the name of Islam. The FBI is investigating the case.
Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross said the officer, identified as 33-year-old Jesse Hartnett, was sitting in his patrol car around 11:30 p.m. at 60th and Spruce Streets when a gunman fired nearly a dozen shots, through the driver’s side of the car, reported CBS.
The gun used in the attack was a stolen police firearm from October, 2013. Ross says the suspect, Edward Archer, 30, of Yeadon, has given a full confession, saying he did it in the name of Islam.
“According to him, police bend laws that are contrary to the teachings of the Quran,†he was quoted as saying.
Hartnett was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he underwent surgery for a broken arm. Ross says the officer’s arm suffered significant damage and that he has a long road to recovery, but he is expected to be okay.
Hartnett returned fire and struck Archer. He tried to escape on foot, authorities say, but was quickly caught by responding officers, CBS reported.
He was transported to the University of Pennsylvania in where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his buttocks, police say.
Philadelphia Mayor Kenney said, “In no way shape or form does anyone in this room believe that Islam or the teaching of Islam has anything to do with what you’ve seen on the screen.â€
He added: “It is abhorrent. It is terrible and it does not represent the religion in any way, shape or form or any of its teachings.â€
Community activist Bilal Quayyum says he has talked to other Muslims in the city about the alleged actions of Archer, and they are “very upset that he would proclaim a violent act against an individual in the name of Islam is not what we believe and is a negative.â€
Quayyum added that Muslims in Philadelphia are praying for the recovery of Officer Hartnett.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf released the following statement: ‘We are thankful that Officer Hartnett is alive and not facing life-threatening injuries after being ambushed. We wish him and his family the best during his recovery. This alleged intentional act of violence against an officer seeking to help a fellow citizen is horrifying and has no place in Pennsylvania.’
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