Authorities have launched an internal investigation in the case of a New York State trooper who said he was shot by a suspect on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway last week, authorities said Monday.
It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the internal investigation. State police declined to release further specifics at this time.
Investigators had put out a $10,000 reward for information in the shooting of trooper Thomas Mascia. Mascia was patrolling shortly before midnight Wednesday on the westbound highway near Exit 17 in West Hempstead — about a mile from his parents’ home — when he saw a black sedan parked illegally in the road’s median.
State police had said Mascia was looking to help what may have been a stranded motorist, so the 27-year-old pulled up behind the vehicle, noted the license plate and got out of his cruiser. As he approached the back of the black sedan, investigators said, the trooper heard a series of shots and realized he had been wounded in the leg.
Mascia retreated for cover behind his vehicle as the suspect drove off. He was later able to tend to his wounds, applying a tourniquet before being taken to a hospital. The incident was not captured on body camera.
Mascia’s commanding officer said the five-year state police veteran was struck in the leg by one shot. He underwent surgery and was expected to make a full recovery.
It was the second time in as many years that Mascia was injured on the job. In 2022, he was struck by a car in Westchester while removing debris from I-95.
The highway was closed in the area for a time to assist the investigation.
Anyone with information to call at 631-756-3300.
