There may be an unexpected twist in the investigation of a New York State Trooper who was shot on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway: Could the bullet have come from his own gun, by his own hand? NBC New York’s Greg Cergol reports.
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 at the end of October, authorities said Monday.
Sources familiar with the investigation say they are looking into whether trooper Thomas Mascia shot himself in the leg, as opposed to what was reported. A state police spokesperson confirmed they are no longer looking for the black sedan Mascia had alleged the suspect was driving and that a search warrant was being conducted at his home.
A large sum of cash and weapons was seized during that warrant execution, though no further details were immediately available. Chopper 4 showed a heavy law enforcement presence at Mascia's West Hempstead home late Monday morning, closing off the road while officers were seen coming and going. One state trooper appeared to be stationed outside in the afternoon.
The Nassau County district attorney's office confirmed it was also investigating "certain inconsistencies identified in the reporting of the shooting." A spokesperson for the DA's office declined to elaborate, saying the investigation is ongoing.
New York State Police say that Mascia had been suspended without pay as the investigation continues — just three days after he left the hospital to great fanfare. Department spokesperson Beau Duffy declined to comment further on the suspension, writing in an email that the department "can't get into specifics while the investigation is ongoing."
Investigators had put out a $10,000 reward for information in Mascia's shooting. 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.
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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 purported shooter 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.
Police at the time said there was no video footage of the incident because the trooper’s body camera was not activated. The camera activates automatically when the lights on a patrol car's roof are fully turned on; Mascia reported only turning on the rear lights of the bar.
Authorities had been looking for the black sedan Mascia said was involved in the shooting, but the search was called off Monday. Neighbors also told Newsday that investigators began knocking on doors to ask residents questions and seek doorbell camera footage Sunday.
Mascia didn’t respond to phone messages seeking comment Monday, and a lawyer representing him also didn't respond to an email. The New York State Police Benevolent Association, a union representing state troopers, said it is not involved in the investigation but is 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.
