TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING NEWARK COP WILL BE TRIED AS ADULT: OFFICIAL

A 14-year-old accused of fatally shooting Newark Police Officer Joseph Azcona will be charged as an adult in federal court, interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba confirmed.

The March 7 shootout happened at Broadway and Carteret Street, near a school and several businesses. Officers approached a group suspected of carrying illegal firearms and were met with gunfire, authorities said.

Officer Azcona, 25, was shot before exiting his patrol car. Another officer was injured but survived. The teen suspect, also shot, was hospitalized and faces charges including murder and illegal weapons possession.

Habba said the case sends a message: “If you shoot a cop, you’re getting tried as an adult. I have no tolerance for violence.”

Her decision overrides New Jersey law, which generally requires defendants to be at least 15 to face adult charges. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, say the current system is unfair and disproportionately affects youth of color. Law enforcement groups, however, are calling for broader prosecutorial discretion in violent cases.

A petition titled Justice for Sergeant Joseph Azcona has gained over 18,600 signatures, demanding adult charges for the teen.