A police officer ambushed by a silent gunman who later said he acted in the name of Islam testified in court Thursday about the attack, detailing how he kicked his way out of the cruiser to return fire.
Philadelphia prosecutors have found no evidence that suspect Edward Archer has any links to terrorism, though federal authorities continue to explore that issue. Archer’s lawyer said he may instead have mental health problems.
Archer, 30, was held for trial on attempted murder and other charges after Thursday’s preliminary hearing. He used a stolen police weapon in the attack and emptied the chamber, authorities said.
Officer Jesse Hartnett testified about how his left arm was shattered by gunfire as he used it to cover his head in the vehicle. He said he later kicked the door open to pursue Archer, shooting him three times, before he went to the trunk of his cruiser to look for a tourniquet. Help soon arrived, and two other officers apprehended Archer a block away. They found the gun wrapped in the long white cloak he had been wearing.
Hartnett, 33, spent two weeks in the hospital after the January attack. He has endured seven surgeries and has an eighth scheduled.
“The fact that he had his wits about him, to think, ‘I need to go back to my patrol vehicle; I need to get a tourniquet,’ I can’t imagine anyone doing that,” Assistant District Attorney Allison Borgatti said after the hearing.
Police Commissioner Richard Ross and other officers filled the courtroom to support Hartnett during his testimony.
Archer told detectives after his arrest that he believed police enforce laws that undermine the Quran’s teachings, officials have said.
“I follow Allah. I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State, and that’s why I did what I did,” Homicide Capt. James Clark has quoted him as saying.
Investigators believe Archer traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2011 and to Egypt in 2012, FBI special agent Eric Ruona said previously. The FBI this week declined to comment further on their ongoing investigation.
The weapon, a 9 mm Glock pistol, had been stolen from a Philadelphia police officer’s home in 2013, police officials have said. It’s not clear how it made its way to Archer, who was also charged with receiving stolen property.
He is due back in court March 31 for an arraignment.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Radical Islam is a Cancer that needs to be Eradicated, Period! Put them up against a wall and end it or decapitate them.
I agree…
I LOVE the idea of decapitating the bastards, one and ALL. Islam has been a sore on the world since the early centuries and needs to be eradicated……made extinct for all time.
Islam is a Cancer that needs to be ERADICTED ! ! !
guillitines work find and they are reusable. don’t know how to spell it. So do machetes.
We see another example of Islam, the religion of peace. If found guilty by a jury he should be sent to a work prison where the remainder of his life will be spent turning big rocks into smaller ones. Islam is a religion of violence, misery, poverty and repression. Islam worships a repurposed lunar god. The god of Islam is not the God of the Jews and Christians.
Once again we see gun controls will not stop criminals. This guy stole his gun. It’s a shame that the death penalty can’t be used on this loser.
Once again we see a good example of Islam. This would be a good time to remind people that everywhere Islam is allowed to rule is a place of violence, poverty, misery and repression. Islam worships a moon god, not the God of the Jews and Christians.
The shooter needs to spend the rest of his days in a work prison. He should not be given a special diet or special treatment.
Trump seems to be the ONLY candidate who sees we must keep any more Muslims from coming to our country. If not, we will see violence all over this country. They DO NOT ASSEMILATE they only want to change our way of life.