Philadelphia police officer Jesse Hartnett survives point-blank ambush, terrorism suspected

A Philadelphia officer was the victim of an ambush attack in which 13 bullets were fired into his vehicle late Thursday night.

The officer, 33-year-old Jesse Hartnett, was hit three times but survived the attack, according to WPVI-TV.

He suffered a broken arm and underwent surgery oveight, but was awake and alert before the procedure. 

Hartnett fired back at the suspect and stuick him three times, police said. He was taken to University of Pennsylvania hospital.

Richard Ross, the police commissioner of Philadelphia, indicated that the suspect said he had pledged allegiance to IS, and committed the act in the name of Islam.

Hartnett is a 5-year veteran of the force, according to WPVI-TV.

"It's amazing he was able to survive," Police Commissioner Richard Ross said to the station.

The moment the gunman walked up to Officer Jesse Hartnett, 33, late on Thursday and fired at him at point blank range. Hartnett is in a stable condition is in a stable condition with a broken arm and nerve damage.

Ross said the motive for the attack was unclear, but that the suspect, in his 30s, was dressed in several layers of clothing