A Philadelphia police officer has been shot at least 11 times by a man claiming allegiance to the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a leading Muslim advocacy group, said the man “does not appear” to be an observant believer.
A 30-year-old man who allegedly claimed “allegiance to IS” shot and wounded a police officer on Friday in the eastern US city of Philadelphia, Deutsche Welle reported.
“He just came out of nowhere and started firing on him,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross during a press conference. “He just started firing with one aim and one aim only, to kill him.”
Officer Jesse Hartnett and suspect Edward Archer were both injured in the incident. The assailant fired at least 11 shots at point-blank range at Hartnett, who was at an intersection in his service vehicle.
Hartnett returned fire and chased Archer before police apprehended the suspect.
Philadelphia Police Captain James Clark noted that the 30-year-old suspect had pledged allegiance to IS.
The 9-mm handgun Archer used was reportedly stolen from an officer’s home in 2013, according to authorities.
Last March, Archer pleaded guilty to firearms and assault charges related to a 2012 case, although he was immediately released and placed on probation, according to AP citing court documents. Valerie Holliday, Archer’s mother, told local media that her son had recently been hearing voices, and that his family asked him to seek help.
The attack comes amid tensions in the US and the West following a string of attacks claimed by IS.
