Essex County Prosecutor Theordore Stephens said on Saturday that a shooting occurred Friday night in Newark, New Jersey, that resulted in the death of Detective Joseph Azcona and the injury of an unidentified officer.
A 14-year-old suspect was shot, the prosecutor added, and he should recover from his wounds.
Stephens informed reporters on Saturday morning that the adolescent suspect was charged with murder, attempted murder, and unlawful weapon possession.
The gunshot took place close to the intersection of Broadway and Carteret Street shortly after 6:30 p.m. Azcona was shot before he could get out of his patrol car, according to Stephens.
The teenage suspect and the officers were sent to University Hospital, where one of them was declared dead. In an email on Saturday, University Hospital refused to provide any updates on the condition of the injured police officer, citing concerns about patient privacy.
The injured officer is “fighting for their life in critical condition,” the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association said in a Facebook post.
A statement lamenting Detective Azcona’s passing was released by the New York Police Department.
Phil Murphy, the governor of New Jersey, said on X that he was informed of the incident.
“This is a rapidly developing situation,” the writer stated. “Please pray for these officers, their families, and all our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.”
His team verified that Murphy visited University Hospital in Newark privately with his wife, Tammy.
“The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office can confirm that two Newark police officers were shot at around 6:37 pm tonight in the area of Broadway and Carteret in Newark,” the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office stated. “Both officers were taken to University Hospital. One of the officers was critically injured. This is an active and ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time.”
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin stated that the shooting is being closely watched by his agency.
“Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities, and tonight is a painful reminder of the depth of the sacrifices they make,” according to a statement. “Please keep the entire Newark Police Department and the families of our officers in your thoughts as we pray for both officers shot in the line of duty tonight.”
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Joe Gamaldi, national vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said four police officers were shot nationwide in a matter of hours.
“In just the last three hours, there have been 4 police officers shot, one is dead,” Gamaldi stated on X. “2 officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) PD, both are expected to recover. 2 officers from Newark (NJ), tragically one officer has made the ultimate sacrifice…RIP Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers.”
The instances were, he continued, “beyond heartbreaking.”
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