US: Suspect charged with attempted murder over shooting of Philadelphia police officer

A man claiming allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS) has been charged with attempted murder over the shooting of a police officer, US prosecutors say. Edward Archer is accused of firing 13 times at Officer Jesse Hartnett as he sat in his patrol car in Philadelphia shortly before midnight on Thursday (7 January). Officer Jesse Hartnett, 33 was shot three times

Dramatic images from the attack showed a gunman, dressed in a long white robe, approaching Officer Hartnett's patrol car and shooting at point-blank range through the window. Despite being seriously wounded, the policeman was able to pursue Archer and return fire and struck the suspect in the buttocks.

Archer was apprehended by other officers after attempting to flee on foot. He reportedly told officers he was acting in the name of "Allah". Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross confirmed the reports, adding he also referenced Daesh (IS) militants.

He said: "He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam. There was no evidence as yet that the shooter had worked with anyone else. He was savvy enough to stop just short of implicating himself in a conspiracy. He doesn't appear to be a stupid individual, just an extremely violent one."

Hartnett was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Centre with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

A judge has denied Archer bail, and a preliminary hearing is expected to take place on 25 January Sky News reports. The 30-year-old also faces charges including aggravated assault, and the assault of a law enforcement officer.