Shot Himself in the Leg, Then Claimed He Was Ambushed
A former New York State trooper pleaded guilty to falsely reporting an incident and tampering with physical evidence when he shot himself in the leg and called in a false report that he was attacked by a motorist after initiating a traffic stop on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17 in West Hempstead.
On October 30, 2024, at approximately 11:42 p.m., near exit 17 on the westbound side of the Southern State Parkway, Mascia, a former New York State trooper, said he was patrolling and saw a disabled vehicle on the center median. He described the vehicle as a black four-door Dodge Charger with a temporary New Jersey license plate and claimed the car had heavily tinted windows and a tinted plate cover.
Mascia claimed that the driver was a black or dark-skinned male wearing a balaclava mask covering his head, only exposing his eyes. He said that, after taking a few steps, the motorist opened fire, and he heard several loud pops and was struck in the leg.
The New York State Police, Nassau County Police Department, New York City Police Department, New Jersey State Police and Newark Police Department all mobilized to track down the shooter as the defendant was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment for the gunshot wound.
Nine .22 caliber shell casings were recovered from the scene and a BOLO was ordered for the Dodge Charger.
After an extensive investigation by the New York State Police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, evidence was uncovered that Mascia had shot himself in the leg and transmitted a false report.
The evidence showed that the Mascias drove to his post on the Southern State Parkway and placed the .22 caliber shell casings on the ground to stage the scene of the alleged shooting.
Records and data from his patrol car showed that Mascia drove to his home, Hempstead Lake State Park, and the scene on the parkway over the course of several hours that evening.
No projectiles were ever found at the scene and no tire marks were located.
An investigation into the scene revealed no video evidence, eyewitnesses, or license plates matching the description provided by the former trooper.
The .22 caliber rifle that Mascia used to shoot himself was later recovered during a search warrant executed at his family home on November 2, 2024.
After shooting himself, Mascia returned to the parkway where he had previously dropped the shell casings and called in the false report about shots being fired.
Thomas J. Mascia, 27, pleaded guilty on May 22 before Judge Robert Bogle to Tampering with Physical Evidence (a Class E felony); Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree (a Class A misdemeanor); and Official Misconduct (a Class A misdemeanor).
The defendant is expected to be sentenced to six months in jail and five years’ probation when he is back in court on August 20, 2025. As a condition of his probation, the defendant will have to undergo mental health treatment. A civil judgment will also be ordered in the amount of $289,511.
Thomas A. Mascia, the defendant’s father, and Dorothy Mascia, the defendant’s mother, were also charged with possessing an illegal firearm that was found at the foot of their bed during the November 2, 2024, search.
Thomas A. Mascia pleaded guilty on May 21 before Judge Bogle to one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (a Class E felony). Thomas A. Mascia is expected to be sentenced to five years’ probation when he is due back in court on August 20, 2025.
Dorothy Mascia pleaded guilty today before Judge Bogle to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (a Class A misdemeanor). Dorothy Mascia is expected to be sentenced to a Conditional Discharge when she is due back in court on August 20, 2025.
Thomas J. Mascia resigned from the New York State Police on January 24, 2025.
Thomas J. Mascia, Thomas A. Mascia, and Dorothy Mascia were arrested by the New York State Police on January 27, 2025.
“Thomas Mascia’s pathetic stunt put the public on edge and sent law enforcement in the tri-state area reeling, looking for a dangerous assailant who supposedly opened fire at an officer on a busy highway. The reality, however, was that the entire incident was the work of Mascia alone and the phantom motorist just another lie he told to cover his tracks,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Mascia’s self-motivated ego boost cost several departments time and resources and put communities and law enforcement officers in fear for no reason. Now, he will face the consequences for his fabrications and for tarnishing the oath he took to serve and protect New Yorkers.”
“The actions of Thomas Mascia were a deliberate betrayal of the public’s trust. His false report not only endangered the safety of responding officers and the public but also undermined the credibility of every Trooper who serves with honor and integrity,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “We thank the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office for their partnership and thorough prosecution. The New York State Police remain committed to transparency, accountability, and upholding the highest standards of our profession.”