Newark Police Detective Gunned Down: Uncle Blames Parents, Mother Refuses!

2025-03-09 12:03:15.961

The family of slain Newark Police Detective Joseph Azcona is grappling with grief and divided opinions following his tragic death. Detective Azcona, a five-year veteran, was killed in a shooting Friday evening where a 14-year-old suspect allegedly fired an automatic weapon, unleashing 29 bullets at the officer and his partner. While the partner survived, Azcona passed away Saturday morning surrounded by loved ones. The uncle, Juan G. Lopez, expressed shock and blamed the suspect's parents for their child's actions, stating, "It's the parents. The way they were raised, the parents." However, Azcona's mother, Martha Vargas, disagreed, saying she couldn't blame the parents without knowing their circumstances. The 14-year-old suspect was also injured in the shootout and is hospitalized. The incident has left the Azcona family devastated, highlighting the profound impact of gun violence and the complexities of assigning blame.