New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James and Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly held a press conference on January 27 to announce the arrest of a former New York State trooper who shot himself in the leg, then falsely reported that he was shot by someone else.
Thomas J. Mascia, 27, of West Hempstead, was arrested on charges of tampering with physical evidence (a Class E felony), falsely reporting an incident and official misconduct (both Class A misdemeanors). Mascia has resigned from his position with the State Police.
James and Donnelly also announced the arrest of Mascia’s parents — Thomas Mascia Sr., 62, and Dorothy Mascia, 55, also of West Hempstead — on one count each of criminal possession of a firearm, a Class E felony.
On October 30, 2024, at about 11:45 p.m., former Trooper Mascia reported that he had been shot in the leg while checking on a disabled vehicle in the median on the Southern State Parkway westbound in the area of Exit 17. Mascia was transported to the hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound to his right leg. The report also triggered an intense search to locate the vehicle described by Mascia.
An investigation into the incident by the Troop L Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office determined that Mascia shot himself in the leg before making the false report to State Police. There was no evidence found to substantiate his story of stopping in the median of the Parkway to check on a disabled vehicle.
A subsequent search warrant at the Mascia family home resulted in the seizure of a firearm that was illegally possessed.
Mascia, Thomas Mascia Sr. and Dorothy Mascia were arraigned in District Court in Hempstead and released. They are due back in court on February 5 at 9 a.m.