Crime
Newark Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty Identified as 25-Year-Old Joseph Azcona
Authorities are conducting an active investigation into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a Newark police officer and left another wounded on Friday evening in the city’s North Ward.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has scheduled a press conference at 10 a.m. to provide further details on the tragic incident, which has deeply impacted the local law enforcement community.
Preliminary reports indicate that shortly before 6:30 p.m., a ShotSpotter device detected approximately 18 gunshots near the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway, prompting an immediate police response.
Upon arrival near a White Castle restaurant, officers discovered two fellow officers wounded.
One officer sustained severe injuries and was rushed to University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Sources have identified him as Officer Joseph Azcona.
The second officer suffered non-life-threatening wounds and remains in stable condition.
During the violent encounter, at least two suspects were taken into custody.
One of the suspects reportedly sustained serious injuries, though authorities have not yet disclosed his condition or role in the shooting.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy arrived at University Hospital late Friday night and expressed his condolences while stating on social media that he is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with law enforcement officials continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
Additional updates will be provided following today’s press conference as more details emerge.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.