Newark NJ police officer furred fatally, accused teenager

A 14 -year -old has been accused of murder after a New Jersey police officer was a deadly shot and another was seriously injured On Friday night, when the officers responded to suspect reports with illegal firearms.

Joseph Azcona, 26, was still in his police car when he was shot at 6:37 pm, said Essex County Prosecutor’s office. He died from his wounds early Saturday morning at the Newark University Hospital.

Another officer, whose name has not yet been released, also shot during the incident and is expected to recover.

A 14 -year -old suspect was shot and is likely to recover. The 14 -year -old was accused of murder, attempted murder and possession of an illegal weapon.

A weapon and several suspects are in custody, said Essex County prosecutor, Theodore Stephens.

“Our heart is heavy at this time,” said Newark Public Security Director Emanuel Miranda. “Our agency is suffering. We lost a real hero last night. “

“(Azcona) did not even have the opportunity to get out of his car,” Miranda said. “We are all mourning and duel and we will give you the respect that you deserve as a true hero.”

‘Atrocious, insensitive contempt for humanity’

Azcona became an officer in Newark five years ago and was promoted to detective two years ago. His mother, his father and five brothers survive, who gathered at the hospital.

“Tonight is one of the darkest days for the application of New Jersey law in recent memory.” Benevolent association of state police in New Jersey President Peter Andreyev said in a statement. “A young officer has died, and another is fighting for his life. We are ready to help our brothers and sisters” of the Newark Police Department.

The mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, said that the agencies of application of the law are working to bring to justice the persons responsible for an “atrocious and insensitive contempt for humanity.”

The officers “went to a scene last night to which many of us would not have gone,” said Baraka. “I do not know many people who would know the danger he lived there, but they were anyway.”

Baraka said that this is a community problem, not a police problem, one in which a 14 -year -old boy supposedly had a gun and used it to shoot the police. Baraka asked the community as a whole, from the clergy to the parents, until they step forward.

“It saddens me that our system has not discovered a way to keep weapons out of children’s hands,” he said during Saturday’s press conference. “We just have to do a better job. I have to do a better job, our community has to do a better job. This is a collective problem. “

The police departments of all New Jersey shared photos of Newark’s badge and other taxes on social networks following the tragedy. “We sympathized with our brothers and sisters in Newark,” published the Wallington police, a feeling resonated by many other departments.

“Please, pray for these officers, their families and all our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” Governor Phil Murphy said.