Newark NJ police officer fatally shot, teen charged

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A 14-year-old has been charged with homicide after a New Jersey police officer was fatally shot and one other was critically injured Friday evening as officers responded to reviews of suspects with unlawful firearms.

Joseph Azcona, 26, was nonetheless in his police automobile when he was shot at about 6:37 p.m., the Essex County Prosecutor’s Workplace stated. He died from his accidents early Saturday morning at Newark’s College Hospital.

One other officer, whose identify has not but been launched, was additionally shot in the course of the incident and is anticipated to recuperate.

A 14-year-old suspect was shot and is more likely to recuperate. The 14-year-old was charged with homicide, tried homicide and possession of an unlawful weapon.

One gun and a number of other suspects are in custody, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens stated.

“Our coronary heart is heavy proper now,” stated Newark Public Security Director Emanuel Miranda. “Our company is hurting. We misplaced a real hero final evening.”

“(Azcona) didn’t even get an opportunity to step out of his automobile,” Miranda stated. “We’re all mourning and grieving and we can pay him the respect he deserves as a real hero.”

‘Heinous, callous disregard for humanity’

Azcona grew to become an officer in Newark 5 years in the past and was promoted to detective two years in the past. He’s survived by his mom, father and 5 brothers, who gathered on the hospital.

“Tonight is without doubt one of the darkest days for New Jersey regulation enforcement in latest reminiscence,” New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Affiliation President Peter Andreyev stated in an announcement. “One younger officer has died, and one other is preventing for his life. We stand prepared to assist our brothers and sisters” of the Newark Police Division.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka stated regulation enforcement businesses are working to deliver to justice the people liable for such a “heinous, callous disregard for humanity.”

The officers “went to a scene final evening that many people wouldn’t have gone to,” Baraka stated. “I don’t know many individuals that will go figuring out the hazard that lived there, however they went anyway.”

Baraka stated it is a group drawback, not a police subject – one wherein a 14-year-old allegedly had a gun and used it to shoot at police. Baraka referred to as on the group as an entire, from clergy to folks, to step up.

“It makes me unhappy that our system hasn’t discovered a option to hold weapons out of children’ fingers,” he stated throughout Saturday’s press convention. “We simply need to do a greater job. I’ve to do a greater job, our group has to do a greater job. It is a collective drawback.”

Police departments from all through New Jersey shared photographs of the Newark badge and different tributes on social media within the wake of the tragedy. “We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Newark,” posted the Wallington police, a sentiment echoed by many different departments.

“Please pray for these officers, their households, and all our women and men in uniform who put their lives on the road to maintain us protected,” Gov. Phil Murphy stated.

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