Prosecutors: Man who shot officer was 'lying in wait'
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/AP) - Testimony began in the trial of a man accused of firing several shots into the car of a Philadelphia Police officer more than two years after the January 2016 ambush.
Jurors have been shown surveillance video of the attack that authorities say the suspect admitted was inspired by ISIS.
Edward Archer, 32, is accused of opening fire on Officer Jesse Hartnett at close range, striking him in the arm three times in an attack Archer claims he carried out in the name of Islam.
Archer's attempted murder trial got underway Thursday with prosecutors telling jurors he was "lying in wait" before firing 13 shots at the officer in the non-fatal attack.
Archer refused to enter a plea, instead saying "I don't plead to anyone but Allah." His attorney told jurors Archer is presumed innocent.
Surveillance video from the night of the shooting shows a suspect, later identified by police as Archer, opening fire on Hartnett as he sat inside his police cruiser driving through and intersection in West Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said at the time Archer had fired at least 11 shots from a stolen 9mm police firearm that had been reported stolen back in October of 2013.
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Following the ambush, video shows a wounded officer Hartnett emerge from his cruiser and return fire, striking archer in the lower body. Archer was taken into custody a short time later.
Officer Hartnett was hospitalized for two weeks following the shooting, and underwent several surgeries on his left arm.
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Investigators believe Archer traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2011 and to Egypt in 2012, FBI special agent Eric Ruona said, and the purpose of that travel was being investigated by the FBI. But police said there was no indication anyone else was involved in the officer's ambush.
Archer's charges include attempted murder and aggravated assault.