Jessie Hartnett: Philadelphia Cop Shot By Man Who Said Islam Called Him To Execute The Police

Philadelphia police officer Jessie Hartnett was shot at by a man who said he wanted to execute him in the name of Islam, law enforcement officials say. Officer Hartnett was sitting in his police cruiser at an intersection when a man approached and immediately opened fire before fleeing on foot. The suspect reportedly proclaimed allegiance to ISIS after the shooting.

Jessie Hartnett sustained a broken arm and nerve damage after the ambush in Philadelphia and is listed in serious but stable condition at a local hospital. The officer sustained multiple wounds that will require several surgeries. Police officials said it was miraculous that Hartnett was able to not only get to his feet after being so gravely injured, but he was able to give chase and fire off several rounds at his attacker.

The police shooting suspect was ultimately caught and arrested. During the late Thursday evening shooting, the 33-year-old officer was fired upon at least 13 times by the gunman. The 30-year-old shooter, Edward Archer, is also a Philadelphia native. Video footage of the shooting depicts the series of events in graphic detail. He reportedly used a stolen police gun, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, to conduct the attack.

Philadelphia Police Officer Shot While Seated In Vehicle, Survives Ambush https://t.co/hlK0yPFDiF

— New York News (@NY_StateNews) January 8, 2016

The Philadelphia cop was able to return fire and hit his attacker three times, according to a statement by police commissioner Richard Ross.

“This is absolutely one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming,” Ross said during a press conference held earlier today. “Why someone would do something so absolutely evil is just beyond us. It’s amazing he’s alive.’

The shooting suspect approached the Philadelphia cop when he was on duty in West Philadelphia. He reportedly walked along the sidewalk and opened fire, aiming through the closed driver’s side window of the cruiser as he neared the vehicle.

https://youtu.be/iu01TWuSXn4

The condition of the police shooting suspect remains unclear. Philadelphia Police Department spokeswoman Christine O’Brien said that attacker was hit at least once in the buttock by officer Jessie Hartnett, the Daily Mail reports.

The police officer served 14 years in the U.S. Coast Guard prior to joining the force in Philadelphia. He signed up for service with the Coast Guard immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks.

Officer Jessie Hartnett was ambushed and shot 3 times while sitting in his marked squad car overnight https://t.co/SAjNdAFqHa

— Fox 9 (@MyFOX9) January 8, 2016

Jessie Hartnett grabbed his police radio during the shooting and informed dispatchers that he was taking fire and “bleeding heavily.” Edward Archer was wearing “Muslim-style garb,” which included a long white robe over dark trousers, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Robert Hartnett, the father of the Philadelphia police officer, described his son as being a “quality young man.” A police officer arrived at his home around midnight to inform him that his son had been shot multiple times while on duty and was seriously injured. Hartnett is a five-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department.

“He has good determination and he’s always wanted to help people and be a policeman,” the elder Hartnett added. “It was shocking but the officers were very excellent and comforted me and got me down there. Jesse was groggy when they finally got him out but he was aware of his surroundings and knew what was going on.”

Valerie Holliday, the mother of Edward Archer, said her son, the eldest of seven children, had suffered head injuries during a moped accident and while playing football. Holliday described the police shooting suspect as a devout Muslim. She also noted that her son recently began to believe that he was being targeted by the police.

“He’s been acting kind of strange lately. He’s been talking to himself… laughing and mumbling. He’s been hearing voices in his head. We asked him to get medical help,” Archer’s mother added.

No charges have yet been filed against the Philadelphia cop shooting suspect. Due to the possible link to terrorism, the FBI has been contacted, but local police officials currently remain in charge of the investigation.

Do you think the shooting of Philadelphia police officer Jessie Hartnett could be an act of terrorism?

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