the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, a tragic shooting in Newark on Friday night claimed the life of 26-year-old Detective Joseph Azcona and left another officer wounded after a 14-year-old suspect opened fire during a police investigation.
Deadly Confrontation in Newark
Authorities say officers responded to the intersection of Broadway and Carteret Street around 6:30 PM as part of an investigation into individuals suspected of possessing illegal firearms. Shortly after their arrival, gunfire erupted, striking both officers.
Detective Joseph Azcona was fatally shot while still inside his patrol car, according to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens. The second officer, whose name has not been released, remains in stable condition.
The 14-year-old suspect, who was also shot, survived with non-life-threatening injuries. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and weapons possession. Authorities have yet to confirm who fired first.
Multiple Arrests & Ongoing Investigation
Prosecutor Stephens revealed that the teen suspect was arrested alongside four other individuals, but their charges and ages have not yet been disclosed.
Azcona, a five-year veteran of the force, was promoted to detective two years ago and served in the Intelligence Unit, which investigates cases involving illegal weapons.
A Brother’s Heartbreak: Remembering Detective Azcona
Azcona’s younger brother, Jordde Azcona, expressed grief and frustration over anti-police sentiments he has seen on social media since the shooting.
“Some people are proud of what happened to him. I can’t believe this is the city we live in,” he said. “Everybody just looks at it as, ‘Oh, a cop died,’ but nobody knows my brother, the person he was.”
Azcona was known for his dedication to his work, often partnering with his cousin, who is also a police officer. Tragically, he was working with a different partner on the night he was killed.
Officials Call for Action to Keep Guns Away from Youth
At a press conference on Saturday morning, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka stressed the need to prevent gun violence among young people.
“It’s sad that our system has not figured out how to keep guns out of kids’ hands or how to mentor them out of difficult situations,” he said. “We just have to do a better job.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy visited University Hospital Friday night, where the wounded officers had been taken.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin issued a statement expressing his condolences and support for law enforcement:
“Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities, and tonight is a painful reminder of the sacrifices they make.”
Community in Mourning
As Newark mourns the loss of Detective Azcona, questions remain about how a 14-year-old obtained a firearm and what more can be done to prevent youth involvement in violent crime.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
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RIP officer
There is no excuse for these inner city savages.
Bring back the death penalty
Rest in peace Detective Joseph Azcona. Will the 14 yr old shit be prosecuted as an adult?
unfortunately this thug will be prosecuted as a juvenile. Even if this prompts a change in the law, it won’t affect his ‘rights’. We as citizens have the right to have our safety and that of the law enforcement professionals that protect us from thugs like this. No matter what sentence he gets in juvenile court, you can count on the fact that he will be released by the time he is 21 and will do it again.
was the 14yo an illegal ?