Officials said Friday that the gunman who tried to execute a Philadelphia police officer pledged allegiance to the terrorist group ISIS.
Philadelphia police made the comments at a news conference Friday afternoon. They also confirmed earlier reports that the suspect, identified as Edward Archer, confessed to committing the attack in the name of Islam.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross also said that the firearm used in the attack was a stolen police gun.
The gunman, who sources said was wearing Muslim garb and a mask, attempted to assassinate the Philadelphia police officer late Thursday, according to officials.
Local ABC News affiliate WPVI reported that the suspect approached Officer Jesse Hartnett in his police vehicle and fired 13 shots at him at about 11:40 p.m. Thursday night.
Ross, the police commissioner, described the attack as an execution attempt.
"I just have to tell you, when you look at the video--we have video that captured all of this--it’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. This guy tried to execute the police officer. It’s amazing he’s alive," Ross said at a press conference Friday morning.
Hartnett managed to return fire at the gunman during the attack and he is currently in police custody.
CBS Philly, citing sources, reported that the suspect confessed to the shooting and said that he did it in the name of Islam.
Three bullets hit Hartnett in the arm during the shooting. The officer suffered significant arm injuries that required surgery but was awake before the operation.
The FBI is currently assisting the investigation.
This post will be updated as further information becomes available.