Manhunt underway for suspect who shot NY State Trooper who stopped to help what he thought was a stranded driver

WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY - Authorities are looking for the armed suspect who shot a New York State Trooper during an overnight incident in Nassau County, Long Island. ABC7 reported that the trooper, identified as 27-year-old Trooper Thomas Mascia, was hit in an exchange of gunfire with the armed suspect on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead in the parkway's westbound lanes near exit 17.

The incident happened around 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th. During a press conference, officials with the New York State Police said that Trooper Mascia approached the vehicle after seeing it parked along the left median of the parkway. Thinking that the driver needed help, he took down the license plate number on the vehicle, then exited his patrol car and approached the vehicle.

The trooper said that he heard several pops and realized that he had been struck in the leg. He immediately took cover behind his patrol car as the driver then took off. New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said, "He was able to retrieve his first aid bag and tend to his own wounds." A fellow trooper who responded to the shooting helped rush Mascia to Nassau University Medical Center.

Trooper Mascia underwent surgery on his leg and is expected to make a full recovery. The suspect reportedly fled westbound in a black Dodge Charger. The vehicle had a temporary New Jersey license plate with the number 997636T. The vehicle is further described as having custom matte gray dual exhaust tips.

Major Steve Eustace with the New York State Police said, "Trooper Mascia's desire was to help someone who appeared to need assistance, unfortunately, Trooper Mascia's good intentions were met with unexpected gunshots directed at him from a coward, who without any provocation, good shot, or good cause, began to shoot at him."

There is no body camera footage of the incident because the trooper did not turn on his full light bar for his patrol car. It did eventually activate when he unholstered his weapon. He was unable to fire any shots in return at the suspect as they fled the scene immediately after shooting at the trooper. The NYPD and other law enforcement agencies were alerted of the vehicle possibly fleeing into New York City, but the vehicle has not been located.

Law enforcement said that they have seen an increase in criminal activity involving vehicles with temporary or paper license plates. The New York State Trooper's PBA released a statement saying, "We are sickened by the actions of this cowardly individual who thought nothing of shooting a trooper who was simply doing his job. This perpetrator must be brought to swift justice. We thank the medical providers who are providing our brother with the care he needs, and we will support him as he makes what we hope is a speedy recovery.

This incident underscores the dangers our members bravely face every day in service of all New Yorkers and is a reminder that any interaction has the potential to turn deadly. This must serve as a call to action for our state leaders to work closely with our union to ensure the safety of PBA members and the public they protect and serve."

After visiting Mascia in the hospital, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called for a crackdown on drivers using illegal plates. He said, "We need the governor and the state legislature to pass a law that people who have fake plates or stolen plates on their car, that they automatically go to jail. They make jail mandatory for those people and that there will be no bail for people like that." Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.