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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WRIC) — A Philadelphia police officer is lucky to be alive after a gunman unleashed a barrage of bullets on the officer Thursday in what the city’s top cop is calling an “execution” attempt.
33-year-old Officer Jesse Hartnett was driving through West Philly around 11:45 p.m. Thursday when a 30-year-old man started firing. The suspect fired at least 13 times, emptying his 9mm handgun.
Hartnett, a five-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, was struck three times in his left arm. He suffered a broken arm and nerve damage from the incident.
Harnett is undergoing surgery at Penn Presbyterian Hospital Friday morning.
In the midst of the shooting, the suspect was so close to the police cruiser that he fire some shots from inside the vehicle’s driver side window.
The officer returned fire, striking the suspect at least three times, police said. The suspect fled and was apprehended nearby.
The suspect, whose identity is currently unknown, is being treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Stay with 8News for updates to this developing story.
