UPDATE (2:00 p.m.): The gunman has been identified as 30-year-old Edward Archer of Yeadon. He reportedly told police that he had committed this act “in the name of Islam.” It also appears that he has been suffering from a mental condition. Archer’s mother told Philly.com that her son had been hearing voices and was asked to get medical help.
A police officer was ambushed and shot multiple times, as he was driving his cruiser near 60th and Spruce, according to police.
The shooting took place at around 11:30 p.m. when a gunman approached the patrol vehicle and fired at least 13 shots at the officer with a semiautomatic pistol. The officer, identified as 33-year-old Jesse Hartnett, was struck in the left arm and multiple times in both legs and was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition after having surgery.
Hartnett was able to exit his vehicle and return fire at the gunman, striking him in the lower back area, according to a police report. The gunman tried to flee south on 60th Street, but was caught nearby. Police recovered a black, 9mm semiautomatic pistol.
Police are calling the shooting an “attempted execution” and say the shooting was unprovoked.
Police Commissioner Richard Ross, who has been on the job for a week, said at a press conference this morning that it was “amazing that [Hartnett] was able to survive.”
January 8th, 2016 at 10:03 am
For what its worth, CBS local says that the attacker allegedly said something about Islam being the motivation. It could likely be a mental illness thing, but the shooter didn’t likely have anything against that specific police officer.
January 8th, 2016 at 10:48 am
Youre right. Its probably mental illness, or something non attributable to the shooter. Hes not that bad of a guy, really. He was just making an important statement.
January 8th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
I have no idea how good or bad of a guy he is. Other news services are emphasizing the Islam thing, and I’m just expressing skepticism of the ISIS in our neighborhood idea that may be being pushed.
January 8th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
I’d like to thank the shooter because maybe this means we can get some attention paid to the increasing violence around here. Also I’d like to ask the wounded police officer for his Powerball picks cause he is clearly the luckiest MF alive.
January 8th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
National media has it now. MSN’s breaking story is Islamic State follower ambushes Philadelphia police officer. Mayor Kenney says it has nothing to do with religion. The frenzy has begun.
January 8th, 2016 at 5:25 pm
How does Mayor Kenney know it didn’t have anything to do with Islam? If he hasn’t yet I’d suggest he read the Quran. The shooting may not represent mainstream Islam but he can’t know it didn’t have anything to do with Islam.
January 8th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
So is the choice going to be between scapegoating Islam and scapegoating the psychiatrized?