The gunman that ambushed a police officer as he sat in his marked cruiser at an intersection in Philadelphia did so “in the name of Islam” and had pledged allegiance to ISIS, according to Philadelphia’s police commissioner. The alleged terrorist shot the officer in a barrage of bullets and tried to flee before being apprehended, officials said Friday.
Police Commissioner Richard Ross said the suspect fired at least 13 shots at Officer Jessie Hartnett and his car late Thursday. He said the officer returned fire, hitting his attacker at least three times. Hartnett was in stable condition.
“This is absolutely one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen,” Ross said at a news conference early Friday. “This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming.”
He said the officer was in his cruiser in West Philadelphia when the shooter approached from the sidewalk and began firing, eventually shooting through the driver’s-side window as he got closer.
“I’m bleeding heavily!” Hartnett shouted into his police radio when he called in to report shots fired.
The suspect ran away but was quickly apprehended by other officers, authorities said.
There was no immediate word on the suspect’s condition. Officer Christine O’Brien said the man was struck at least once in the buttock.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Stephen says
I always watch out for Our Officers of the Law and if need help I am there
Main Street says
That’s what our government and Hillary want, to fill our nation with haters. As long as these folks live in working class neighborhoods then the elitists think it’s great. A huge percent of the American population are addicted to smart-phones and reality shows to even know what’s going on.