Agents Think Ambushed NYS Trooper Is Lying; Here’s Why

Investigation of New York State Trooper Takes Strange Turm

Only last week, New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia was hailed a hero after he allegedly was ambushed and shot while on a traffic stop on Long Island.

On Friday, he was cheered and celebrated while released in a wheelchair from Nassau University Medical Center. But, once he got home for the weekend, things started to take a turn, and unexpected details surfaced on Monday that may discredit Mascia's account of what happened.

On Monday, ABC News reported that police had blocked off his street amidst an internal investigation, and Mascia was suspended without pay. 

What Did Mascia Say Happened?

According to CBS News, State Trooper Thomas Mascia said he was shot on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, Nassau County, at around 11:45 PM Wednesday after pulling up to a vehicle that was parked on the median, police said.

Mascia, police said, was on routine patrol, and he thought he was approaching a disabled vehicle before the driver suddenly opened fire through the window, hitting the Trooper in the right leg, before driving off.

According to reports, Mascia applied first aid before being taken to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment, and he was released on Friday.

Significant Police Presence at His Home on Monday

On Monday, CBS News New York said that Mascia's street had been blocked off, adding that there was a significant police presence there. Another report indicates that investigators have been searching Mascia's home since Sunday in an attempt, in part, to secure his weapons and any other firearms.

Inconsistencies in Mascia's Story

On Tuesday morning, State Police said they hadn't found the man or located the vehicle he was driving.  Meanwhile, despite the original claim that police were possibly searching for a black Dodge Charger,  ABC 7 News reported on Monday that police are no longer searching for that vehicle.

Sources say that the ambush on Mascia was not captured on body camera, which is activated when the vehicle's emergency lights are turned on; State Police said only his rear emergency lights were activated during the incident.

Here's Why Agents Don't Believe Mascia's Story

According to CBS New York, the New York State Police is conducting two investigations into Long Island State Trooper Thomas Mascia's story.

Over the weekend, during a 19-hour house search of Mascia's home and cars, both of which he shares with his parents, investigators found guns and a large amount of cash, according to the source.

No one has been arrested, but Mascia is suspended without pay, and his ID, shield, and guns were removed.

CBS New York also reports that in 2022, Mascia had a similar claim to last week.  The news outlet stated that two years ago, Mascia said he was injured in a hit-and-run accident, but police never found the alleged car.

Did He Shoot Himself?

CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff asked if there was a chance the gun wound was self-inflicted, and investigators said they weren't ruling it out.

"I'm not going to get into that right now...We do not believe this incident happened the way it was reported to us," New York State Police Maj. Stephen Udice told CSB New York.

Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, representing Mascia, said he has yet to speak with his client but told CBS New York that the "leaks and lies" were disgraceful.