After Police Confirm Suspect Attempted to ‘Execute’ Officer in Name of Islam, Listen to What Mayor Says During Press Conference

After police confirmed that the suspect who attempted to “execute” a Philadelphia police officer on Thursday night claimed to have done so in the name of Islam, Mayor Jim Kenney told reporters on Friday that the attack is not connected to Islam in any way.

WPVI-TV

“In no way, shape or form does anyone in this room believe that Islam or the teachings of Islam have anything to do with what you’ve seen on that screen,” Kenney said. “That is abhorrent. It’s just terrible, and it does not represent the religion in any way, shape or form or any of its teachings.”

“This is a criminal with a stolen gun who tried to kill one of our officers,” he added. “[It] has nothing to do with being a Muslim or following the Islamic faith.”

The suspect, identified as Edward Archer, allegedly snuck up on 33-year-old officer Jesse Hartnett as he sat in his marked patrol car on Thursday night and opened fire. The suspect fired 13 shots, hitting the officer three times.

Fortunately, the officer survived and underwent successful surgery on his arm.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said Hartnett was “awake” and “coherent" on Friday.

---