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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) | |
A police officer in Philadelphia was ambushed by a man who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS), officials have said. | A police officer in Philadelphia was ambushed by a man who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS), officials have said. |
Edward Archer fired at least 11 shots at the officer, in an act done "in the name of Islam", police said. | Edward Archer fired at least 11 shots at the officer, in an act done "in the name of Islam", police said. |
Despite being shot, Officer Jessie Hartnett left his vehicle and was able to return fire, striking Mr Archer at least once. | |
Mr Archer escaped on foot but was apprehended by police shortly after. | Mr Archer 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 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." | "This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming." |
"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 Mr Archer, 30, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, was working with anyone else, he said. | There is no evidence that Mr Archer, 30, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, was working with anyone else, he said. |
Philadelphia court records show he was convicted of assault in March and was set to begin a prison term. He had also been convicted of forging documents in a nearby suburb. | Philadelphia court records show he was convicted of assault in March and was set to begin a prison term. He had also been convicted of forging documents in a nearby suburb. |
Mr Archer's mother Valerie Holliday said he is mentally ill and had suffered multiple head injuries, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. | Mr Archer's mother Valerie Holliday said he is mentally ill and had suffered multiple head injuries, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. |
"He's been acting kind of strange lately. He's been talking to himself . . . laughing and mumbling," she told the newspaper. "He's been hearing voices in his head. We asked him to get medical help." | "He's been acting kind of strange lately. He's been talking to himself . . . laughing and mumbling," she told the newspaper. "He's been hearing voices in his head. We asked him to get medical help." |
Ms Holliday also told the Inquirer that he had been a devout Muslim "for a long time". | Ms Holliday also told the Inquirer that he had been a devout Muslim "for a long time". |
After the shoot-out, Mr Hartnett screamed into his radio: "I'm bleeding heavily." He has serious injuries and requires surgery. | |
"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 Mr Archer's gun was a police firearm that was stolen in 2013. | Mr Ross said Mr Archer's gun was a police firearm that was stolen in 2013. |
The shooting happened on the day two men who came to the US as refugees were charged with supporting terrorism. | |
A month ago, attacks in San Bernardino, California, left 14 people dead, carried out by a couple inspired by Islamic State. | |