Philly Cop Ambushed In Attempted Execution

PHILADELPHIA, PA - A Philadelphia police officer was ambushed in the city late Thursday by a man who attempted to execute him.

Surveillance photos show a man approaching the officer as he sits in his patrol car at 60th and Spruce Streets. He goes to the driver side window and fires off a total of 13 shots at point black range, according to the Delaware County Times.

Miraculously, Officer Jesse Hartnett, 33, survived the barrage, and only three shots hit him in the arm, CBS Philly reports.

He was able to return fire, and hit the suspect, Edward Archer, three times, officials said.

“This is absolutely one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen,” police commissioner Richard Ross said at a news conference. “This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming.”

The suspect gave a full confession after he was captured said that he did it in “the name of Islam,” according to reports. He gave no further details.

Hartnett suffered a broken arm. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital after the shooting and is recovering from the incident.

“We are thankful that Officer Hartnett is alive and not facing life-threatening injuries after being ambushed,” Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement. “We wish him and his family the best during his recovery. This alleged intentional act of violence against an officer seeking to help a fellow citizen is horrifying and has no place in Pennsylvania.”

Hartnett is a five-year veteran of the force and a 2001 graduate of Monsigner Bonner High School. He was an officer in East Lansdowne in 2010 before joining the Philly force soon thereafter, reports state.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our brave officer,Jesse Hartnett,” Philadelphia police said on Twitter. “Please keep him in your thoughts & prayers as he recovers.”