New Jersey Police Officer Killed, Second Officer Wounded in Shooting by 14-Year-Old, Authorities Say - VINnews

A tragic incident occurred in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday evening when a 14-year-old shot and killed police officer Joseph Azcona, 26, and injured another officer. The officers were part of a specialized team aiming to apprehend a suspect linked to illegal firearms when the shooting took place. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with officers sprinting down a busy street prior to hearing multiple gunshots.

Officer Azcona, who had dedicated five years to the Newark police force and was promoted to detective two years prior, was caught in the gunfire before he had a chance to exit his vehicle. Newark's public safety director Emanuel Miranda mourned Azcona's loss, honoring him as a "true hero." The wounded officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, was hospitalized but is expected to recover.

In connection with the shooting, authorities apprehended five individuals, including the 14-year-old, who now faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and illegal weapons possession. The young suspect himself was shot and hospitalized but is also in stable condition. Details surrounding the initial encounter that led to the shooting remain limited.

One firearm was recovered at the scene, which is now being analyzed alongside the weapons used by law enforcement to determine the specifics of the shootout. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka condemned the violence, characterizing the shooting as a "heinous, callous disregard for humanity." He emphasized the inherent danger police face, noting that the officers were fully aware of the risks associated with their mission.

Baraka expressed frustration over societal failures that allow young individuals to access firearms, asserting that it is a collective responsibility to ensure that children are not handling guns. He called for greater community and familial accountability to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.