Police probe man’s claim he shot officer in Allah’s name

Philadelphia authorities said at a news conference on January 8 that an attacker who shot an officer multiple times told authorities that he had pledged loyalty to the Islamic State and acted in the name of Islam.

USA authorities have been on high alert following Islamic State-linked attacks in recent months in Paris, France, and San Bernardino, California.

The suspect, 30-year-old Edward Archer, also pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group when he was questioned after his arrest in the shooting late Thursday, police said.

He said the officer was in his cruiser in West Philadelphia when the shooter approached from the sidewalk and started firing into the driver’s-side window as he got closer and closer to the auto.

Despite being shot, US Hartnett left his vehicle and was able to return fire, striking the gunman three times.

“His injuries are very, very serious”, Ross told reporters.

“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 we’ve just seen on that screen”, the mayor said. He has declared that the shooting had nothing to do with Archer’s “being a Muslim or the Islamic faith”.

Archer is a self-professed Muslim who sought to kill Officer Hartnett “in the name of Islam” with another officer’s stolen Glock.

Police said there was no indication anyone else was involved. but Mr Ross added: “It stands to reason there is more unknown than known”. Reports suggest Archer had been building up to this moment, waiting for a chance to punish the police for upholding laws that went against the Koran.

The gun Archer used had been stolen from police back in 2013, and officials are still trying to determine how he got hold of it. “That is one of the things you regret most when an officer’s gun is stolen”, Ross said.

The officer’s father, Robert Hartnett, said his son was in good spirits.

Philadelphia court records show he was convicted of assault in March and was set to begin a prison term.

Hartnett, 33, was shot three times.

“He was savvy enough to stop just short of implicating himself in a conspiracy”, Ross said.

“I don’t know how this officer survived”, Commissioner Ross said.