US police officer shot by IS sympathizer

A Philadelphia police officer was shot and seriously injured by an assailant who said he had acted in the name of Islam, authorities said.

Edward Archer, 30, was arrested soon after firing 13 shots at the police officer, Efe news agency quoted police as saying on Friday.

During his interrogation, the shooter "confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam".

According to him "the police defend laws that are contrary to the teachings of the Quran", Police Commissioner Richard Ross said.

According to the head of homicide unit, the shooter said "I follow Allah. I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State and that's why I did what I did."