Philadelphia police officer ambushed 'in the name of Islam'

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• From the sectionUS & Canada

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Media caption"I'm absolutely amazed Officer Harnett is with us today"

An officer in Philadelphia was ambushed by a man who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS), police officials have said.

The gunman, 30, fired at least 11 shots at the officer, in an act done "in the name of Islam".

The officer returned fire, striking the gunman, in what the police chief described as an attempted "execution".

The suspect escaped on foot but was apprehended by police shortly after.

"This is absolutely one of the scariest things I've ever seen," Police Commissioner Richard Ross said.

"This guy tried to execute the police officer. The police officer had no idea he was coming."

Despite being shot, Officer Jessie Harnett left his vehicle and was able to to return fire, striking the gunman at least once.

Image copyrightABC News

Image captionThe man fired at least 11 shots at the officer, police say

Image copyrightAP

Image captionOfficer Hartnett is expected to recover from his injuries

Other officers were able to later apprehend the man.

"He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam," the police commissioner said, because he believes "police defend laws that are contrary to Islam".

There is no evidence that the gunman was working with anyone else, he said.

Mr Harnett has "very serious injuries that will require multiple surgeries".

After the shoot-out, Mr Harnett screamed into his radio: "I'm bleeding heavily."

"His will to live undoubtedly saved his life," Mr Ross said. "This could have easily been a police funeral."

Image copyrightAP

Image captionPolice said the gunman attacked without warning

Mr Ross said the assailant's gun was a police firearm that was stolen in 2013.

"We know it was stolen; how many hands it may have passed through in the last couple of years, we do not know," Mr Ross said.

The shooting comes one month after attacks in San Bernardino, California, that left 14 people dead, and were committed by a couple who officials say were inspired by radical Islam.

They also come a day after police in Paris, France, shot dead a man who was apparently trying to attack a police station on the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.