Police seek suspect who shot and wounded state trooper in New York

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — Police are searching for a man who shot and wounded a New York state trooper Wednesday night during a traffic stop on Long Island.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said at a press conference Thursday that authorities are seeking a suspect in a black sedan, possibly a Dodge Charger, with custom matte gray dual exhaust tips and a temporary New Jersey license plate, 997-636 T.

He said the shooting happened around 11:45 p.m. on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, which is located roughly 30 miles east of Manhattan in suburban Nassau County.

James said Trooper Thomas Mascia had been patrolling the parkway when he observed a black sedan parked in the left-hand shoulder around Exit 17.

Seeking to assist what he believed was a stranded motorist, he exited his patrol car and walked toward the vehicle but was met with gunfire, according to the superintendent.

Mascia was shot in the leg and retreated behind his vehicle, where he used a tourniquet to stem the bleeding until other officers arrived and took him to the hospital, James said.

The 27-year-old, who became a trooper in 2019, was struck near his right knee and had to undergo surgery, according to James. He's currently recovering and in stable condition at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.

There's no body-worn camera footage of the incident as the trooper's camera was not activated until he pulled his gun from his holster after realizing he had been shot, James added.

By then, the suspect had already fled heading west into New York City and Mascia was unable to return fire.

Major Stephen Udice, commander of Troop L, said authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information about the shooting, which he called a “cowardly act.”

He said investigators believe they're seeking just one suspect and that the person should be considered dangerous.

“This trooper's one and only intention was to help someone who appeared to need help, and he became a target instead," Udice said. “This is unacceptable.”