On January 27, 2025, former New York state trooper Thomas Mascia was arrested after allegedly shooting himself in the leg and falsely reporting that he had been shot by an unknown assailant on a Long Island highway. Prosecutors claim Mascia staged the incident to gain attention and sympathy.
- Former trooper shot himself, claimed gunman
- Charged with misconduct and falsifying documents
- Parents charged with firearm possession
- Mascia resigned, cited mental health issues
- No evidence supported his shooting claim
- Manhunt initiated based on false report
Mascia, along with his parents who were charged with firearm possession, pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court on February 5. He resigned from the police force shortly before his arrest.
Thomas Mascia’s incident occurred on October 30, when he claimed he was shot while responding to a situation near Hempstead Lake State Park. Authorities launched a manhunt based on his report of being attacked by a driver of a black sedan who fled the scene. However, prosecutors later stated that there was no video evidence supporting Mascia’s claims as his body camera was not activated during the event.
The investigation revealed that Mascia had shot himself at the park before driving to the highway to seek help. He faces several charges including official misconduct and tampering with evidence. His parents were implicated after police discovered the .22-caliber gun hidden in their West Hempstead home.
- Mascia joined the New York State Police in 2019.
- He was suspended without pay following the criminal investigation initiated in November.
- A press conference is expected later today from Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly regarding this case.
Mascia’s attorney mentioned that he has been dealing with untreated mental health issues for years, suggesting that this may have influenced his actions. The family’s legal troubles highlight how one individual’s decisions can impact loved ones significantly, especially when mental health concerns are involved.
This case underscores serious implications surrounding law enforcement accountability and mental health awareness within police ranks as well as broader community impacts stemming from such incidents.
