ISIS-Inspired Gunman Convicted of Ambushing, Wounding Philly Officer

After less than three hours of deliberations, a Philadelphia jury Thursday convicted a man who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of firing 13 shots at a Philadelphia police officer two years ago in an ambush attack.

The jury of nine women and three men found Edward Archer, 32, guilty of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and related crimes for shooting Police Officer Jesse Hartnett in West Philadelphia in January 2016, an incident that shocked the city and drew international attention for its purported terrorism link.

Archer, who showed little emotion during the two-week trial, stared straight ahead as the verdict was read. Hartnett, meanwhile, who offered emotional testimony earlier this week about surviving the assault, sat in the front row of the gallery and hugged his family and supporters after jurors announced their decision, Philly.com reports.

The 36-year-old officer suffered severe arm damage as a result of the shooting and has undergone 11 surgeries, including a rare procedure to insert metal plates into his elbow.