14-year-old charged with murder of Newark detective in shocking shooting spree
Detective Gunned Down in Car During Sting
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Detective Joseph Azcona, 26, a Newark police officer shot dead before he could even leave his car. The fatal shooting happened during an illegal firearms sting in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday evening, March 7.
More than a dozen shots rang out near a White Castle and McDonald’s on Carteret Street and Broadway just after 6:30pm, turning the normally busy area into chaos and panic.
Hero Detective Killed, Colleague Wounded
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens confirmed Azcona, a five-year veteran recently promoted to detective, was fatally shot inside his police car. He was rushed to University Hospital but died at 2:30am, surrounded by family.
A second officer was also shot but is expected to recover.
“Detective Azcona was a true hero,” said Newark’s Director of Public Safety, Emanuel Miranda. “He was part of the best of the best—an elite intelligence unit.”
Teen Gunman in Custody
Police arrested five people at the scene, including the 14-year-old charged with:
- Murder
- Attempted murder
- Possession of illegal weapons
The teenager was also shot and injured during the shootout but is in stable condition. His name has not been released due to his age.
City Leaders Outraged
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka condemned the violence in a press conference, calling it a “heinous, callous disregard for humanity.”
“We just have to do a better job. Our families have to do a better job. The community has to do a better job at making sure our children are not handling guns in the street, shooting at police officers. This is not just a police problem. This is our collective problem.”
Witness Randy Mejia described the terrifying moment: “It sounded like a car accident, then ‘boom, boom, boom.’ It was terrifying.”
Ongoing Investigation and City Mourns
Authorities recovered one firearm at the scene and are examining all weapons to determine exactly who fired shots. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Newark Police, and federal agencies continue investigating.
Azcona, a rising star on the force, has been widely praised for his bravery.
“We lost one of our finest,” added Miranda. “And the city is grieving.”
