NYS police: Trooper Thomas Mascia shot on Southern State Parkway after trying to help what looked to be stranded motorist

A suspect who remains at large shot a state trooper late Wednesday on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead after the law enforcement officer stopped to try to help what appeared to be a stranded motorist, according to the New York State Police.

The trooper, now hospitalized in stable condition, didn't return fire after he was shot at without provocation at about 11:45 p.m., state police officials said at a Thursday morning news briefing. 

They identified the trooper as Thomas Mascia, 27, and said he was able to apply a tourniquet to himself after the suspect fired multiple shots at him from a .22-caliber gun from a dark sedan parked partially on the westbound shoulder.

A gunshot struck the trooper in his right quadricep near his knee as he approached the sedan — which then fled west on the parkway, according to police.

State police asked for the public's help locating the suspect.

"Someone who is willing to fire a gun at a law enforcement officer is most certainly a dangerous individual, so in order to ensure the safety of the public, we would like to get that person in custody as soon as possible," State Police Superintendent Steven James said at the briefing.

Earlier Thursday morning, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke briefly to reporters at Nassau County Medical Center, where the trooper was being treated.

Blakeman said around 10:30 a.m. that the trooper, a Nassau resident and native, had just come out of surgery.  The county executive said the trooper's parents and girlfriend were at the hospital.

"We take care of own here in Nassau County. But the state troopers are doing a magnificent job," he said of support for the trooper's family.

The westbound lanes of the Southern State, which were closed at Exit 18 following the shooting, reopened about 6 a.m. authorities said. The shooting happened near Exit 17.

The vehicle being driven by the shooter is believed to be a black Dodge Charger with a temporary New Jersey license plate, 997-636 T, according to state police, who also said the car has custom matte gray dual exhaust tips.

Police said earlier Thursday the shooter was believed to be a male, but didn't specify the suspect's gender at the news briefing.

Troop L Commander Stephen Udice, who heads the Farmingdale-based troop where officials said Mascia had worked for a year, said the law enforcement official's "one and only intention, was to help someone who appeared to need help."

"This is unacceptable," Udice added of the shooting, "and we all need to recognize that if someone will target one of those that is out there to keep all of us safe, he or she is of great danger to every single one of us."

Check back for updates on this developing story.