Reports: Anonymous Tipster Warns of ISIS-Inspired Police Threat in Philly, NYC
Law enforcement officials received an anonymous tip that a person who pledged allegiance to ISIS wanted to shoot police officers in Philadelphia and New York City, NBC4 New York reported Wednesday. The man who the tipster was referring to has since turned himself in, sources reportedly told NBC 4.
Lieutenant John Stanford, a spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department, confirmed that officials had received “anonymous information regarding a threat against the Philadelphia Police Department, which was also a threat directed towards the New York Police Department.”
Stanford would not confirm any other details about the tip, including whether it referenced ISIS.
“At this time we cannot confirm details surrounding the threat,” he said. “However, we are working with both NYPD and the FBI to conduct a thorough and logical assessment and investigation in efforts to determine the credibility and validity of the threat and information gathered.”
Less than two weeks ago, Officer Jesse Hartnett was shot three times in West Philadelphia by a man who said he was motivated by ISIS, police said. Edward Archer, 30, has been charged with attempted murder. Hartnett is in stable condition.
Shortly after Hartnett was ambushed, police received a separate anonymous tip that “the threat to police is not over.”
On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Police Department said it had alerted all officers of the most recent threat.
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