14-Year-Old Charged in Newark Detective Joseph Azcona's Fatal Shooting

Detective Joseph Azcona, a 26-year-old officer with the Newark Police Department, was tragically killed during a gunfire exchange while investigating illegal firearms on March 9, 2025. He was shot while still in his patrol car, with reports indicating that a 14-year-old suspect fired at least 29 rounds. Azcona, a five-year veteran of the force, was pronounced dead at the hospital, leaving behind grieving family members, including his parents and five siblings. A second officer was also shot but is expected to survive. The teenage suspect has been charged with murder and other offenses and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident has sparked conversations about youth violence and the presence of firearms among minors in Newark.