Shooting of Thomas Mascia on Long Island leads to criminal investigation – NBC New York

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation, along with their internal investigation, in a now-suspended case New York State trooper who said he was shot by a suspect on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway last week.

State police emphasized at a news conference Wednesday that both investigations into Trooper Thomas Mascia are “far from over,” and said there are a number of questions that need to be answered. But they have reason to believe that “the incident did not occur in the manner in which it was reported,” officials said.

Sources familiar with the investigation say they are investigating whether Mascia shot himself in the leg, contrary to what was reported. A state police spokesman confirmed this was the case suspended without pay as he was found to have violated state police rules and norms. They did not elaborate on the content of the violation.

His service weapon, shield and ID have been confiscated.

Earlier this week, sources with knowledge of the situation said a large sum of cash and weapons were seized during a search warrant executed at his home. State police mentioned this search during Wednesday’s briefing but declined to provide additional information about the warrant or what evidence was seized.

Officials say they are no longer looking for the black sedan Mascia is believed to have been involved in, nor are they looking for any other persons of interest. They continue to work closely with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the troop commander said, to review the evidence and determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

Investigators had initially offered a $10,000 reward for information in Mascia’s shooting. Mascia was patrolling the westbound highway near Exit 17 in West Hempstead — about a mile from his parents’ home — shortly before midnight last Wednesday when he said he saw a black sedan illegally parked in the median of the road.

New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia is on the road to recovery and will be released from the hospital Friday, days after he was shot along the Southern State Parkway as authorities said he tried to help what he believed was a driver in distress. It comes as the search continues for the person who pulled the trigger. Greg Cergol of NBC New York reports this.

State police had said Mascia said he wanted to help what may have been a stranded motorist, so the 27-year-old stopped behind the vehicle, took down the license plate number and got out of his cruiser. As he approached the rear of the black sedan, investigators said, the officer heard a series of shots and realized he had been wounded in the leg.

Mascia took cover behind his vehicle as the alleged shooter drove away. He was later able to treat his wounds by applying a tourniquet before being taken to a hospital. The incident was not captured on body camera.

The five-year veteran of the state police is expected to make a full recovery.

Police said at the time that there was no video footage of the incident because the trooper’s body camera was not activated. The camera is automatically activated when the lights on the roof of a patrol car are fully turned on; Mascia reported that only the bar’s taillights were turned on.

A 27-year-old state trooper was shot in the leg as he approached a vehicle on the Southern State Parkway on Long Island. Officials announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who escaped in a vehicle with a temporary New Jersey license plate. The state trooper’s injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Greg Cergol of NBC New York reports this.

Mascia did not respond to phone calls seeking comment earlier this week, and an attorney representing him also did not respond to an email. The New York State Police Benevolent Association, a union that represents state troopers, said it was not involved in the investigation but was monitoring the situation.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Cop Shot, a New York City group, offered a total of $15,000 in rewards for information about the shooting.