A New Jersey teenager is believed to have fatally shot a Newark detective and injured another with a barrage of 29 bullets only hours after he had showcased the eventual murder weapon on Instagram, as reported by The Post. The 14-year-old had flashed the firearm in a bid to intimidate a rival, setting off a chain of events that culminated in the tragic killing on March 7.
Just 40 minutes before the shootout, the teenager left his home to meet friends at a White Castle near Carteret Street and Broadway. His aunt, Hadiyah Sorey, revealed this detail to The Post, speaking from the family residence on North 9th Street where she resides with her sister and nephew.
Law enforcement sources disclosed that the teen’s Instagram live video featuring the gun equipped with a conversion device, allowing for rapid firing, drew attention from authorities who were already monitoring his activities due to past arrests, including a robbery. The police, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, were quick to respond to the situation after identifying the location from the video.
The fatal encounter unfolded when officers, including Detective Joseph Azcona, confronted the teen and his companions near Carteret Street. The teenager immediately opened fire upon realizing the presence of law enforcement, fatally striking Azcona, who was still inside his vehicle. His partner, identified only as Manny, sustained serious injuries but has since been discharged from the hospital.
The teenager, currently hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident, faces charges of first- and second-degree murder. At Azcona’s funeral, Manny spoke in remembrance of his fallen colleague, while the teen’s aunt attributed his possession of the firearm to a prior shooting incident.
A makeshift memorial now stands at the scene, commemorating the tragic events that transpired on that fateful day.
In front of a church dedicated to fallen Detective Joseph Azcona, Newark police declined to provide details on the ongoing investigation. The aunt of a suspect involved in the incident claimed that her nephew mistook the officers for a threat due to their unmarked cars, ski masks, and drawn shotguns, firing upon them as a result. She stated that her nephew expressed regret upon realizing they were law enforcement, saying, “I didn’t know y’all was the police.” The tragic events unfolded as Detective Joseph Azcona, 26, lost his life in a barrage of gunfire allegedly initiated by a 14-year-old while he sat in his car.
Despite claims that the officers identified themselves with shields and bulletproof vests labeled “police,” the aunt lamented that her nephew’s actions have irreversibly altered his young life. She questioned the notion that a 14-year-old would intentionally target law enforcement and attributed the incident to societal influences, emphasizing the damaging effects of social media on today’s youth.
The mother of the accused teenager, Rabiyah Sorey, declined to comment when approached by reporters at their home. The boy’s aunt described the situation as “horrible,” acknowledging the pain experienced by both families involved. However, the impact on Azcona’s family was described as particularly devastating, with a law enforcement source emphasizing his dedication to his role as an officer and the profound loss felt by those who knew him.
