14-year-old charged with homicide after Newark capturing leaves one officer lifeless, one other injured

NEWARK: A 14-year-old shot and killed a police officer and wounded one other Friday night in New Jersey, authorities stated, in a chaotic scene that witnesses described as seeing officers operating down a busy road earlier than they heard a volley of a dozen or extra gunshots.

The slain officer, 25-year-old Joseph Azcona, was a part of a Newark police intelligence staff that had gone to seize a suspect in an unlawful weapons investigation when the officer was fired on in his automobile, authorities stated.

“He didn’t even get an opportunity to step out of the automobile earlier than he was struck,” Emanuel Miranda, Newark’s director of public security, informed a Saturday morning information convention with Newark’s mayor and prime prosecutor.

The opposite officer who was struck was hospitalized with accidents that weren’t life-threatening, authorities stated. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka referred to as the capturing a “heinous, callous disregard for humanity.”

Police took 5 individuals into custody, together with the 14-year-old who was charged with homicide, tried homicide and possession of unlawful weapons, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stevens II informed the information convention.

The 14-year-old was shot and hospitalized with accidents that weren’t life threatening, Stevens stated.

Stevens didn’t establish the boy or the opposite 4 individuals in custody who he stated had been present process questioning by investigators Saturday. Stevens and Miranda gave few different particulars about what led police to the group that fired on Azcona, the following police response or the shootout. One gun was recovered, Stevens stated.

Azcona was a five-year veteran of the Newark police drive and was promoted to detective two years in the past.

Azcona and the opposite officer had been shot round 6:37 p.m. within the space of Broadway and Carteret, authorities stated earlier. Witnesses stated they heard a string of gunshots after they noticed officers operating down the road on a business strip between a McDonald’s and White Fortress eating places close to the Passaic River.

Witness Randy Mejia informed WCBS-TV proper earlier than he heard gunshots that he noticed officers operating down the road.

“It gave the impression of a automotive accident and it went increase, increase, increase,” Mejia stated.

The wounded officers had been taken to College Hospital in Newark, the place Azcona was pronounced lifeless round 2:30 a.m., Stevens stated. Azcona’s mom, father and brother had been on the hospital to see him and grieve after the capturing, Miranda stated.

Police declined to establish the officer who was wounded.