Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Thomas Mascia, a West Hempstead resident and former New York state trooper, returned to court on March 4, where he is facing criminal charges. Mascia set off a multi-state manhunt after reporting he had been shot in the leg while patrolling near Exit 17 of the Southern State Parkway on Oct. 30.
After identifying several inconsistencies in Mascia’s story, and a lack of body camera footage, a state investigation concluded he had violated official policy and falsely reported the incident.
“Our investigation determined that Mascia deliberately shot himself and he lied about it,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said at a January news conference.
Mascia turned himself in to police on Jan. 27 and was charged with tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident and official misconduct. His parents, Thomas and Dorothy, also surrendered to authorities. They were charged with criminal possession of a firearm, which was discovered on their property.
Mascia Sr. is a former NYPD officer who pleaded guilty on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in 1993. As a convicted felon, Mascia Sr. is not allowed to possess a firearm.
All three pleaded not guilty to their charges and were released on their own recognizance.
They returned to court on March 4, where an order of protection from an unnamed individual was issued against Mascia, to which he consented. This order requests that Mascia stay away from the person until March 2026.
The district attorney’s office shared their discovery with Mascia’s representation. Mascia is due back in court on April 14.
