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Nassau County DA accuses former NYS trooper of falsifying on-duty shooting claim

A New York State Police logo is shown on a state police officer's car near Dannemora, N.Y., Friday, June 12, 2015.
Seth Wenig
/
AP
A New York State Police logo is shown on a state police officer's car.

A former Long Island-based New York State trooper has turned himself in to the police. Thomas Mascia claimed he was shot on the job, but officials say his account of the incident is not what happened.

The 27-year-old surrendered Monday morning following multiple investigations.

Back in October, Mascia claimed he stopped to investigate a car parked on a Southern State Parkway median when the driver shot him in the leg. However, after Mascia returned from the hospital later that week, he was suspended without pay, and criminal and internal investigations were opened into the incident.

Officials now say Mascia shot himself at Hempstead Lake State Park, hid the weapon in his parent's home, then drove to the spot on the parkway where he called for backup, and claimed the shooter fled the scene. He described a black Dodge Charger with New Jersey license plates.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said law enforcement from New York, New Jersey and Delaware participated in the manhunt for the made-up vehicle.

"We vowed to find the dangerous individual who shot him," said Donnelly. "But, we never would because the shooter we were all looking for was just in Mascia’s head, in his imagination."

Charges against Mascia include tampering with evidence, falsifying documents and official misconduct.

Steven G. James is the Superintendent of the New York State Police. He said Mascia resigned from his position last week.

“This is an egregious act that occurred that not only triggered a massive response throughout the community, but harmed the reputation of law enforcement in general," said James. "We will not let one individual’s actions overshadow the thousands of troopers who tirelessly perform their duties.” 

Mascia has been a state trooper since 2019. James said there were "no apparent red flags" in his background check. The day of the incident, October 30, 2024, was Mascia's first day on patrol with his newly assigned troop.

In the days following, police had also searched the West Hempstead home where he was living with his parents. Dorothy and Thomas A. Mascia have now also been charged with criminal possession of a firearm.

Sabrina is host and producer of WSHU’s daily podcast After All Things. She also produces the climate podcast Higher Ground and other long-form news and music programs at the station. Sabrina spent two years as a WSHU fellow, working as a reporter and assisting with production of The Full Story.