A Philadelphia woman told police the man who allegedly shot at an officer on patrol – Edward Archer – was affiliated with an organization that held "radical beliefs" and others tied to the same group were likely targeting other law-enforcement officials for killing.
Archer, as WND reported, provided police a full confession on the shooting, saying he did it in the name of Islam. The event was captured on video and witnesses said the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" while approaching the police cruiser and firing off up to 13 rounds, three of which hit the officer. The victim, Jesse Hartnett, 33, was a five-year veteran of the force and suffered a broken arm and nerve damage.
Now, more Philadelphia police face risk, a source told officers.
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"The citizen alleged the defendant had an affiliation to a group with radical beliefs," police said in a statement, speaking of Archer and the anonymous female tipster, Reuters reported. "The Philadelphia Police Department has alerted all department personnel of this matter and will continue to have officers work with a partner until further notice."
Archer reportedly made two trips to the Middle East prior to allegedly shooting Hartnett, Fox News reported. He now faces murder charges.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported police, citing the tipster, said Archer was associated with three other men in the same radical organization, and was not even considered the most extreme of the group. The name of the radical group was not released.