14-Year-Old Gunman Kills Newark Cop in Shocking Shootout!

2025-03-09 12:03:15.965

A New Jersey police detective, 26-year-old Joseph Azcona, was fatally shot by a 14-year-old suspect who fired 29 bullets from an automatic weapon. The shooting occurred Friday night in Newark, near the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway. Detective Azcona, a five-year veteran, was shot before he could exit his police car. A second officer was also shot but is expected to survive. The 14-year-old suspect, who has been charged with murder and attempted murder, is also recovering from gunshot wounds. The shooting took place while officers, including Azcona, were investigating the possibility of illegal firearms in the area. Azcona's death has prompted widespread mourning and condemnation, with officials highlighting the senseless nature of the violence. The teen suspect remains unidentified, but authorities are questioning five other individuals who were present at the scene. Despite a decrease in Newark's murder rate in 2024, this incident underscores the ongoing challenges the city faces with gun violence.