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Philadelphia police officer ambushed 'in the name of Islam' | Philadelphia police officer ambushed 'in the name of Islam' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man who shot and wounded a policeman at point blank range as he sat in his patrol car was inspired by Islamic State militants, police said. | |
Edward Archer, using a stolen gun, fired at least 11 shots at Jesse Hartnett in Philadelphia. | |
Despite being shot, Mr Hartnett left his vehicle and was able to return fire, striking the gunman three times. | |
Mr Archer was arrested within minutes and later confessed to police he did it for Islam, officers told reporters. | |
"He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam," Police Commissioner Richard Ross 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." | |
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. | 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. | 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. | A month ago, attacks in San Bernardino, California, left 14 people dead, carried out by a couple inspired by Islamic State. |