Toomey: FBI Unaware of Specific or Imminent Threat

PHILADELPHIA- WTXF - Addressing the media after an FBI briefing in Philadelphia Thursday, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R- PA) stated that the FBI is unaware of any specific or imminent threat, but we should nevertheless all remain vigilant.

Toomey called the attack a reminder of the dangers that those who wear the uniform face every day.

"In my view, the anti-law enforcement rhetoric we hear sometimes is extremely unhelpful, and extremely inappropriate," the senator said. He added that "the dangers of radical Islamist terrorism are not limited to countries far away."

Toomey and the state's other senator, Bob Casey, had just had a briefing with FBI Special Agent William Sweeney, who runs the bureau's Philadelphia field office.

The senator added that he had just visited with Officer Hartnett. He thanked him for his courage and service and noted that "he seems to be recovering as well as could be expected," and is in excellent spirits. He praised the officer as a hero for his actions that night.

When the floor was opened to questions, FOX 29's Bruce Gordon asked the senator whether the FBI is looking the role Archer's mental health played in the attack. Toomey said he was not aware of the specifics of that aspect of the case.

Toomey is one of several top officials Thursday who will be addressing the terrorism and national security implications of the Hartnett shooting.

Sen. Bob Casey will also speak at 12:30 p.m., where he'll be joined by Mayor Jim Kenney. And the FBI will deliver a briefing of its own at 3 p.m.

Follow FOX29.com/live to watch all of the briefings live.