By Justin Finch, Rahel Solomon, Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Authorities say a Philadelphia police officer is recovering after he was shot several times during an ambush late Thursday night in West Philadelphia.
Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross says the officer was sitting in his patrol car around 11:30 p.m. at 60th and Spruce Streets when a gunman fired 11 shots through the driver’s side of the car.
Police are calling it an “attempted assassination.”
In a press conference, Commissioner Ross said the gun used in the attack was a stolen police firearm.
“It was stolen back in October of 2013. It was reported, and that is one of the things you regret the most when an officer’s gun is stolen, when it is used against one of your own.”
The officer, 33-year-old Jesse Hartnett, was struck several times, authorities say.
“Shots fired! I’m shot! I’m bleeding heavily!” Hartnett can be heard yelling on police radio.
Commissioner Ross says the suspect has given a full confession, saying he did it in the name of Islam.
“According to him, police bend laws that are contrary to the teachings of the Quran.”
Sources say the suspect’s full confession of the alleged attack was written down and recorded on video.
Police sources identify the suspect as Edward Archer, of Yeadon.
“When you look at the video, this is one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen,” Commissioner Ross said. “This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming. It’s amazing he’s alive.”
Commissioner Ross said later, “We’re thankful to God he’s here today because it easily could’ve been a police funeral.”
Hartnett was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he underwent surgery for a broken arm. Ross says the officer’s arm suffered significant damage and that he has a long road to recovery, but he is expected to be okay.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/201...n-west-philly/
