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Philadelphia police officer ambushed 'in the name of Islam' | Philadelphia police officer ambushed 'in the name of Islam' |
(35 minutes later) | |
An officer in Philadelphia was ambushed by a man who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS), police officials have said. | An officer in Philadelphia was ambushed by a man who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS), police officials have said. |
The gunman fired at least 11 shots at the officer, in an act done "in the name of Islam". | |
Despite being shot, Officer Jessie Harnett left his vehicle and was able to to return fire, striking the gunman at least once. | |
The suspect escaped on foot but was apprehended by police shortly after. | The suspect escaped on foot but was apprehended by police shortly after. |
"This is absolutely one of the scariest things I've ever seen," Police Commissioner Richard Ross said. | |
"This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming." | |
Other officers were able to later apprehend the man. | |
"He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam," the police commissioner said, because he believes "police defend laws that are contrary to Islam". | "He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam," the police commissioner said, because he believes "police defend laws that are contrary to Islam". |
There is no evidence that the gunman was working with anyone else, he said. | There is no evidence that the gunman was working with anyone else, he said. |
Mr Harnett has "very serious injuries that will require multiple surgeries". | Mr Harnett has "very serious injuries that will require multiple surgeries". |
After the shoot-out, Mr Harnett screamed into his radio: "I'm bleeding heavily." | |
"His will to live undoubtedly saved his life," Mr Ross said. "This could have easily been a police funeral." | "His will to live undoubtedly saved his life," Mr Ross said. "This could have easily been a police funeral." |
Mr Ross said the assailant's gun was a police firearm that was stolen in 2013. | Mr Ross said the assailant's gun was a police firearm that was stolen in 2013. |
"We know it was stolen; how many hands it may have passed through in the last couple of years, we do not know," Mr Ross said. | "We know it was stolen; how many hands it may have passed through in the last couple of years, we do not know," Mr Ross said. |
The shooting comes one month after attacks in San Bernardino, California, that left 14 people dead, and were committed by a couple who officials say were inspired by radical Islam. | |
They also come a day after police in Paris, France, shot dead a man who was apparently trying to attack a police station on the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attacks. |