NYS trooper suspended without pay amid investigation: officials

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) – A New York State trooper who was shot last week on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway has now been suspended without pay, officials told PIX11 News.

Trooper Thomas Mascia, 27, is being investigated over “inconsistencies” in his story, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

Mascia was patrolling the parkway last Wednesday night when he came across what he believed to be a stranded motorist, officials said during a news conference. Mascia got out of his patrol vehicle and approached a black sedan parked on the left side of the roadway, which is when he was shot in his right leg, officials had said.

The trooper fled to his car, where he gave himself first aid, according to officials. The black sedan fled the scene, officials said.

According to audio reviewed from broadcastify.com, Trooper Mascia called in the shooting just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, saying, "Shots fired! Shots fired I'm hit. Westbound southern state right before exit 17." Telling a dispatcher, "I think my kneecap’s broken... I'm bleeding pretty good in the leg. Got a tourniquet on." 

He then proceeded to give a description of the alleged gunman he says shot him, which State Police terminated a manhunt for Monday. 

Mascia was released from a local hospital on Friday. A $10,000 reward was offered for any information on the shooting that could lead to an arrest and conviction.

The NYSP also released a statement about the investigation into the shooting, saying in part, “State Police is conducting an investigation into the circumstances involving Trooper Mascia that was reported on October 30th.”

On Monday night, high-profile defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman confirmed to PIX11 News that he has been hired to represent Trooper Mascia. He told PIX11 News "I am still in the process of gathering facts myself. Nothing to offer beyond that at this time, unfortunately."

Lichtman says that his client has not been arrested or charged at this point. 

As first reported by the Albany Times Union, sources confirmed hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash was discovered inside the Mascia family home in West Hempstead Monday during a search of the property, along with a cache of guns.