The Newark Police Department is in mourning after one of its officers was gunned down in the line of duty Friday night. Joseph Azcona, 25, a five-year veteran of the force, was shot before he even had the chance to step out of his vehicle, authorities revealed in a somber press conference on Saturday morning.
The gunfire erupted as Azcona and his team, part of an intelligence unit investigating illegal weapons, attempted to capture a suspect. Instead, they were met with a barrage of bullets, leaving Azcona mortally wounded and a second officer injured.
Authorities announced that a 14-year-old has been charged with murder, along with attempted murder and illegal weapons possession. The teen, whose name has not been released due to their age, was among five individuals taken into custody.
Details remain scarce on the moments leading up to the shooting, but authorities confirmed that Azcona was sitting in his police vehicle when he was fired upon.
“He didn’t even get a chance to step out of the vehicle before he was struck,” Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said.
The second officer, initially reported to be “fighting for their life,” has since been confirmed to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to prosecutors.
The suspect, who was also shot during the confrontation, is currently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. It remains unclear whether they were struck by return fire or another source.
Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged the tragedy, urging the public to “pray for these officers, their families, and all our men and women in uniform.”
Attorney General Matthew Platkin called the attack a “painful reminder of the sacrifices” officers make every day.
“Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities,” Platkin said. “Tonight is a heartbreaking example of that sacrifice.”