Overview

• Detective Joseph Azcona, a 26-year-old Newark officer, was fatally shot during an illegal firearms investigation on March 7, 2025.
• The alleged shooter, a 14-year-old boy, fired 29 rounds, striking Azcona before he could exit his vehicle and wounding another officer who is expected to recover.
• The suspect, who was also injured during the exchange, faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and illegal weapons possession.
• Azcona, a five-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, was remembered as a hero dedicated to his community and law enforcement.
• Law enforcement officials and community leaders are calling for a deeper examination of how a teenager obtained an automatic weapon and committed such a violent act.