Shooting of Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Hartnett
On the late evening of January 7, 2016, Edward Archer, a 30-year-old resident of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, attempted to assassinate Philadelphia police officer Jesse Hartnett. The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m., with Archer approaching the driver's side window of Hartnett's patrol vehicle and opening fire.
Surveillance images captured Archer pointing a gun at Hartnett's vehicle, with subsequent images showing the muzzle flash as he fired. The attack was unprovoked and sudden, with no precipitating event leading up to it.
Following his arrest, Archer confessed to the crime, stating he committed the act "in the name of Islam." He also pledged his allegiance to ISIS, although there was no indication of his involvement in a larger conspiracy. The incident was described by Commissioner Richard Ross as "an attempted assassination of a police officer."
Despite being seriously injured in the attack, Officer Hartnett survived. Archer was later found guilty of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and other charges related to the shooting. He was sentenced to between 48.5 and 97 years in prison.
Here is police dispatch audio from the incident.
