14-Year-Old Accused of Killing New Jersey Officer to be Charged as Adult

"The message is very clear: If you’re a child, I don’t care. If you shoot a cop, you’re getting tried as an adult. I have no tolerance for violence and we’re gonna clean up New Jersey," Interim New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.

April 3, 2025

Newark Police Detective Joseph Azcona was killed in March. A 14-year-old is accused of the murder. The teen is reportedly a member of the Bloods gang.New Jersey State Police/Facebook

Interim New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has announced that a 14-year-old gang member accused of fatally shooting a Newark police detective will be charged as an adult in federal court as she vows to crack down on violent crime in the Garden State.

The teen suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified and is an alleged member of the Bloods gang, is accused of shooting and killing Detective Joseph Azcona in Newark last month while he was inside his police vehicle. Another officer was wounded in the shooting, Fox reports.

"We’ll be charging that minor as an adult. We filed the papers yesterday," Habba told the New York Post on Wednesday.

"The message is very clear: If you’re a child, I don’t care. If you shoot a cop, you’re getting tried as an adult. I have no tolerance for violence and we’re gonna clean up New Jersey," she said.

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Proposed Chicago Police Policy Does Not Prohibit Pretextual Stops

Officers who stop drivers over registration plates or stickers and headlight, taillight and license plate light offenses “must strike a balance between promoting public safety and building and maintaining community trust,” according to the draft policy.

Vermont Officer Shot Responding to House Fire, Saved by Vest

Investigators said the officer responded with firefighters to the scene after smoke was seen coming from a window at the home. Vermont State Police said he was shot twice, with one of the bullets stopped by his body armor and the other wounding his leg.

Sergeant Paul Locke of the Milton (Vermont) Police Department. Locke was saved by his vest when he was shot responding to a house fire.

Virginia Officers Shot During Traffic Stop, Suspect Killed

One of the officers was conducting traffic enforcement when the suspect's car pulled over "very abruptly" and slammed on his brakes, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said during a news conference.

Florida Deputy’s Vehicle Rolls Over After Head-On Crash with Suspected Drunk Driver

Nearby deputies came to the aid of the deputy in the overturned vehicle. They were able to get him out. He suffered abrasion injuries that were treated at a local hospital.

A Manatee County (Florida) Sheriff's Office video shows a truck crashing head-on into a deputy's patrol vehicle (upper left).

Texas Deputy Killed by Debris from Vehicle at Traffic Stop

Dawson County Sheriff’s deputy Jessie Perez, 42, was conducting a stop in Lamesa around 12:30 p.m. when he was hit by the debris from a passing commercial vehicle, the Texas Department of Public Safety reports.

Jessie Perez was sworn in as a Dawson County Sheriff's Deputy in August 2024.

Former Atlanta Officer to Receive $1.4 Million from City After Being Acquitted of Murder

In 2022, Officer Oliver Simmonds was charged with felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of violation of an oath of public office in the July 15, 2019, fatal shooting at a gas station.

Retired Atlanta Officer Oliver Simmonds will be paid $1.4 million after being acquitted of murder for an off-duty shooting.

Motorola Solutions Launches Remote Mic with Two-Way Radio, Body Camera and AI Capabilities

As a converged and wireless device, SVX effectively halves the number of devices and reduces maintenance, while everyday shifts are covered with the swappable battery. Critically, the convergence of radio, video and AI serves as a force multiplier.

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Arkansas Trooper Injured in Easter Sunday Crash

The officer crashed around 5:20 p.m. on Arkansas 7. State troopers said the officer was driving to a three-vehicle crash during heavy rainfall with lights and sirens activated.

Florida Officer Shot at Easter Celebration

"As officers and deputies attempted to intervene, gunshots were fired, and one Lake City Police Department officer was struck by gunfire," police said in an update Sunday night.

Suspect Arrested in Kentucky After Leading Officers on Multiple County Pursuit in Stolen Indiana Police Vehicle

The incident began around 9 a.m. with a traffic stop. The Chandler Police reportedly stopped the suspect for reckless driving, and ended up in a confrontation with the driver who was wearing motorcycle helmet.

Man Rams Truck Through Arizona Department’s Station Gates

On March 20, the Arizona Department of Public Safety put out an attempt to locate alert on the F-150. The truck was located at a bank parking lot.

The Glendale, Arizona, Police Department says this image shows a suspect's truck ramming into a police station gate.

New Jersey Officer Honored for Rescuing Trapped Motorist from Burning Vehicle

On March 5, 2025, Officer Allatt responded to a vehicle crash on State Route 22 in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Upon arrival, he encountered two vehicles that had become engulfed in flames following a rear-end collision.

Officer Noah Allatt of the Bridgewater Township (New Jersey) Police Department was named March 2025 Officer of the Month by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

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