Officer

Ambushed Philly Officer Jesse Hartnett Heads Home After 2 Weeks in Hospital

Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Hartnett was released from the hospital Friday, a little more than two weeks after he was shot three times during an ambush attack by a man who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Hartnett, 33, was hospitalized the night of Jan. 7 after confessed attacker Edward Archer, 30, shot Hartnett at point-blank range in an attempt to kill the officer, according to Philadelphia police. Authorities said the gun he used was a stolen police weapon.

"This is absolutely one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross after the shooting. "This guy tried to execute the police officer."

Hartnett has undergone numerous surgeries to repair damage caused by the three bullets that tore through his arm. He was reported to be in stable condition on Tuesday. He still must return to the hospital for further arm surgery.

The attack on Hartnett prompted an investigation into Archer, who claimed he had ties to a terror group and pledged allegiance to ISIS, authorities said. After investigation, FBI officials concluded that Archer was not part of a terror group and there were no other imminent threats to law enforcement.

Archer is charged with attempted murder, illegal-gun possession and other related offenses. He remains locked up at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility after bail was denied.

Information on an attorney for Archer was not immediately available. 

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