Alleged cop shooter pledged allegiance to ISIS, police say

A 30-year-old man accused of firing 13 times at a Philadelphia police officer had pledged allegiance to ISIS, police said today.

The gunman, now in custody, confessed to committing the “cowardly act” in the name of Islam, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said today.

Officials say the suspect used a stolen police firearm when he fired shots at close-range at Officer Jesse Hartnett while he was in his police vehicle Thursday night.

The weapon was stolen in 2013, police said.

“You can see the male in question going toward police officer Harnett. … He is literally inside that car,” Ross said today of an image of the shooting.

Harnett then got out of his car and fired back.

“His will to live undoubtedly saved his life,” Ross said.

Hartnett was shot three times, Ross said, noting he suffered serious injuries that will require multiple surgeries.

“This could have easily been a police funeral,” said Ross, calling the shooting a “cowardly act.”

This was the first police-involved shooting for the administration of Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, who was inaugurated four days ago.

Kenney said today of the shooting, “It’s terrible and it does not represent the religion [Islam] in any way shape or form.”