A 14-year-old has been charged with murder and attempted murder after a police officer in Newark, New Jersey, was killed in a shootout Friday night and another was critically injured.
New Jersey Officer Killed in Shootout, 14-Year-Old Charged with Murder
Detective Joseph Azcona was shot and mortally wounded before he had a chance to get out of his vehicle, officials said. He died at a local hospital.
by Staff
March 10, 2025
Detective Joseph Azcona was a five year veteran of the Newark Police Department. A 14-year-old has been charged with his murder.
Credit:
New Jersey State Police/Facebook
Just after 6:30 p.m. 26-year-old Det. Joseph Azcona and other officers were investigating the possibility that a group of individuals had illegal firearms, ABC7 reports.
Azcona was shot and mortally wounded before he had a chance to get out of his vehicle, officials said. He died at a local hospital.
The second officer hit was taken to the hospital in critical conditions, but as of Saturday morning, his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
The 14-year-old suspected shooter was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was in possession of an automatic weapon, believed to be the murder weapon, officials say.
Officials with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said the teen is charged with numerous crimes including murder, attempted murder and possession of illegal weapons.
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