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A New York State trooper is facing charges after he allegedly shot himself after claiming either a "Black or dark-skinned Hispanic" man shot him, the Atlanta Black Star reports.
Thomas J. Mascia turned himself in earlier this week on several charges, including tampering with physical evidence, falsifying reporting a crime, and official misconduct.
The charges come after Mascia, 27, reported that he was shot on October 30. Mascia alleged that the shooting unfolded after he approached a disabled Black Dodge Charger that was parked on the median on westbound Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead. The trooper said he heard gunfire and realized he was shot in the knee.
Mascia was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for gunshot wounds. Authorities offered a $15,000 reward for anyone with information about the alleged shooter, who Mascia described as either a "Black or dark-skinned Hispanic" man, according to a complaint.
However, Mascia was suspended without pay days later as the local district attorney's office began investigating the trooper and his parents.
“My office, in partnership with the New York State Police, is actively investigating certain inconsistencies identified in the reporting of a shooting incident involving New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia last week on the Southern State Parkway,” Nassau District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly in a statement at the time.
Investigators found that there were no bullet holes in Mascia's patrol car or the guard rail next to the median where the alleged shooting unfolded. There was also no evidence of the described Dodge Charger in the area at the time of the shooting. More, Mascia's body camera wasn't on at the time of the incident. The cameras are programmed to turn on upon activation of all emergency lights on a police vehicle. Mascia only had his rear emergency lights activated at the time of the alleged incident.
In light of the charges, the New York State Police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement, saying “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,” the statement read.
Mascia resigned as a trooper before turning himself in this week. He is set to appear in court on February 5.
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