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2mo ago

Ex

Authorities say Thomas Mascia staged the incident, causing public alarm and wasting law enforcement resources, while his actions and motives remain under scrutiny.

A New York State Police logo is shown on a state police officer's car near Dannemora, N.Y., Friday, June 12, 2015. A New York state trooper who claimed he was shot and wounded by an unknown gunman on a Long Island highway last year is facing criminal charges.
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New York State trooper Thomas Mascia gets a kiss from his father, Thomas, as he leaves in a wheelchair from Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York, on Nov. 1, 2024.

Overview

  • Thomas Mascia, a former New York state trooper, allegedly shot himself in the leg and fabricated a story about an unknown gunman in October 2024.
  • The staged shooting led to a multistate manhunt, temporary highway closures, and significant disruption to the public and law enforcement operations.
  • Mascia and his parents have been charged with various offenses, including tampering with evidence and illegal firearm possession, though all have pleaded not guilty.
  • Prosecutors revealed inconsistencies in Mascia’s account, supported by GPS data and video evidence, which contradicted his claims of encountering a stranded motorist and being shot by a suspect in a black sedan.
  • Law enforcement officials, including the Nassau County DA, condemned Mascia's actions as a betrayal of public trust and a waste of police resources, while his lawyer cited untreated mental health issues as a contributing factor.