(AmericanProsperity.com) – Highlighting the rising crime rates across America, a 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder after ambushing and killing a Newark police officer before he could even exit his vehicle.
Watch the video down below.
The shocking incident occurred during a weapons sting operation and has left a police department grieving while raising serious questions about juvenile crime and access to firearms.
The fatal shooting took place in a commercial area of Newark, New Jersey, near Broadway and Carteret Avenue.
Officer Joseph Azcona, just 26 years old and a five-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, was shot and killed while responding to reports of teenagers carrying guns.
A second officer was injured in the attack and remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The most disturbing aspect of this tragedy is how the officers were ambushed. “He didn’t even get a chance to step out of the vehicle before he was struck,” said Newark’s Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda.
The officers had no opportunity to defend themselves, being shot while still inside their police car during what was an illegal weapons sting operation involving Newark police detectives and federal agents.
Witness Randy Mejia described the chaotic scene: “It sounded like a car accident, and it went boom, boom boom.”
Following the shooting, officers from neighboring communities rushed to University Hospital to show support for their fallen brother in blue.
The 14-year-old suspect, whose name is being withheld because of his age, suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
He and four others were taken into custody, with the teen now facing murder charges.
Authorities have confiscated all firearms involved in the incident but have not yet confirmed whether police discharged their weapons.
Officer Azcona’s family was present at the hospital when he passed away. He was posthumously promoted to detective in recognition of his heroic service and sacrifice.
“Tonight is one of the darkest days for New Jersey law enforcement in recent memory,” New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Peter Andreyev said in a statement.
“One young officer has died, and another is fighting for his life. We stand ready to help our brothers and sisters,” he added.
This tragedy highlights the escalating crisis of juvenile crime and gun violence that continues to plague American cities.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka pointed to a deeper societal problem that requires community involvement, not just police action, to solve.
Baraka said:
“We just have to do a better job. I have to do a better job. Our families have to do a better job. The community has to do a better job at making sure that our children are not handling guns in the street, shooting at police officers. This is not a police problem. This is our problem. This is our collective problem.”
Police departments across New Jersey have shared tributes and messages of solidarity for the Newark Police Department.
Governor Phil Murphy has urged prayers for the officers, their families, and all law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line daily.
Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones summed up the sentiment many in the law enforcement community felt:
“Law enforcement officers leave their loved ones every day and put their lives on the line for the safety and wellbeing of our communities. The egregious acts that took place last night have left a family, a community and the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement devastated and with a void that can never be filled.”
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