UPDATE: Shooter Pledged Allegiance to ISIS: Terror in Philadelphia: Man Shoots Philly Police Officer “In the Name of Islam”

Dramatic photos capture gunman allegedly trying to ‘execute’ Philadelphia police officer: https://t.co/5NExna9x0K pic.twitter.com/fXohzs1RYu

— ABC News (@ABC) January 8, 2016

UPDATE:

Even though the mayor of Philadelphia was very quick to point out that this shooting had absolutely NOTHING to do with any particular faith, here’s an unsurprising development from Yahoo! news:

A gunman claiming to have pledged allegiance to Islamic State militants shot and seriously wounded a Philadelphia police officer in an ambush on his patrol car, the city’s police commissioner said on Friday. Gunman Edward Archer of Philadelphia approached Officer Jesse Hartnett, 33, shortly before midnight and fired 11 rounds, three of which hit the officer in his arm. Police released still images from surveillance video that showed gunman dressed in a long white robe walking toward the car and firing, eventually getting close enough to shoot directly through the window.

The article goes on to report:

“He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam,” Ross told a press conference, adding that the man also referenced Islamic State militants. Philadelphia Police Captain James Clark added, “He said he pledges his allegiance to Islamic State, he follows Allah and that was the reason he was called on to do this.” 

David French, on National Review, however, noted:

It seems the officer chased the gunman after being shot. When courage is needed, American men can still rise to the occasion.

ORIGINAL POST:

Last night, in my former hometown of Philadelphia, a scary scene unfolded.  A man dressed in Muslim clothing ran up to a police car, gun in hand, repeatedly firing upon the cop.

On National Review, David French describes the scene:

He reportedly fired thirteen times, striking officer Jesse Hartnett three times in the arm. Incredibly, Hartnett was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. Hartnett has suffered severe injuries to his arm, and faces a “long road to recovery,” but his wounds were thankfully not mortal. The suspect’s condition is not known.

While police have not commented on a motive, sources say that the suspect has confessed to shooting the officer “in the name of Islam.”

Thank God the police officer will survive — and thank a police officer for their service the next time you see them.

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