There are several developments this morning concerning the ambush shooting of Philadelphia Officer Jesse Hartnett by a Yeadon man who told police he did it in the name of Islam and that he had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
FBI Director James B. Comey was in Pittsburgh yesterday and announced that federal investigators are now classifying the shooting as a terrorist act.
It's the first time since the shooting last week that authorities have classified the actions as being linked to terror.
You can get the details here.
Both the shooter and his victim have close ties to Delco.
Officer Hartnett is an East Lansdowne native, where he once served on the force before joining the Philly force. He's a 2001 graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School. Archer lived in Yeadon.
Meanwhile, on our editorial page, we reminded readers of something that too often gets overlooked in the heated rhetoric about what might have inspired Archer to do what he did, if others were involved, and if this was some kind of conspiracy.
Hartnett suffered serious injuries after taking three bullets in his arm. He remains hospitalized. Despite being shot three times at point-blank range, he still managed to get out of his cruiser, pursue the suspect and return fire. Archer was wounded in the buttocks and taken into custody.
The attack on a police officer - and in particular the chilling surveillance video that captured the incident, showing Archer walk toward the car and opening fire, eventually leaning into the car window - provides ample evidence of the dangers that lurk on our streets every day.
It's something ever police officer - and his family - knows all too well. They mean it when they say they never know when they leave the house if they will return.
Comey is due in Philadelphia to offer an update on the investigation this morning. Both Pennsylvania U.S. Senators, Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Pat Toomey, are expected to speak after the briefing.
In the meantime, Hartnett's alma mater will honor him during their daily Mass at the Drexel Hill school. We'll be at Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast High School to bring you all the details, as well as updates from the FBI briefing in Philly.
Comments