NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Authorities are conducting an internal investigation into the shooting involving a New York State Trooper who reported being shot in the leg last week while on duty on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway, officials confirmed on Monday.
The shooting initially led to a search for an armed suspect, and has since raised new questions as investigators examine “certain inconsistencies” in the trooper’s account.
Trooper Mascia, 27, reported that he was patrolling the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17 around 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 30 when he pulled over to check on a stranded motorist.
According to Mascia’s initial account, the driver of the vehicle—a “dark-skinned male” in a dark-colored car, possibly a black Dodge Charger with custom matte gray dual exhaust tips—fired multiple shots at him through the window of the vehicle.
After the shooting, Mascia was transported to Nassau University Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for his gunshot wound. He was released from the hospital on Friday.
Following this report, authorities launched a search operation. Mascia had noted the car’s license plate as a temporary New Jersey plate number. Police issued a description of the suspect vehicle and even offered a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of the shooter.
The investigation changed after authorities noted inconsistencies in the trooper’s account of the incident.
Investigators searched Mascia’s residence in West Hempstead as part of the internal investigation on Monday. Additionally, New York State Police issued a statement saying that "investigators have canceled the BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for the black Charger with NJ temporary registration."
One neighbor described the trooper to 1010 WINS as a “good guy,” while another noted that troopers had been stationed in the neighborhood for days.
“My office, in partnership with the New York State Police, is actively investigating certain inconsistencies identified in the reporting of a shooting incident involving New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia last week on the Southern State Parkway,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said in a statement on Monday. “The investigation remains ongoing at this time, and we refrain from further comment until it is completed.”
NBC New York reported that authorities are now looking into the possibility that Mascia may have accidentally shot himself, citing sources briefed on the case.