NEW YORK (AP) — New York State Police on Monday suspended a trooper without pay after launching an investigation into his account of being shot and wounded while attempting to help a motorist on a Long Island highway last week — an incident that prompted a manhunt for the purported gunman.
The decision was announced after officers executed a search warrant at Trooper Thomas Mascia's residence in West Hempstead earlier Monday as they probed the circumstances of the shooting he reported on Oct. 30.
State police also canceled an alert issued for a black Dodge Charger with a temporary New Jersey registration that the trooper said was involved in the shooting.
Department spokesperson Beau Duffy declined to comment further on the suspension.
“This remains an ongoing investigation, and further updates will follow,” the agency said in a statement posted earlier Monday on its website.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said her office is assisting state police in investigating “certain inconsistencies” in the reporting of the shooting. A spokesperson for her office declined to elaborate, saying the investigation is ongoing.
Police on Monday closed off the West Hempstead road where Mascia lives and officers were seen entering his home.
Neighbors also told Newsday that investigators began knocking on doors to ask residents questions and seek doorbell camera footage Sunday.
Mascia, who was released from the hospital Friday, didn’t immediately respond Monday to email and phone messages seeking comment.
The New York State Police Benevolent Association, a union representing state troopers, said it is not involved in the investigation but is monitoring the situation.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said at a news conference last week that the shooting happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, which is roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Manhattan in suburban Nassau County.
Mascia had been patrolling the parkway shortly before midnight when he observed a black sedan parked on the left-hand shoulder and went to offer assistance, James said.
But when he exited his patrol car, he said, he was met with gunfire and shot in the leg before the driver fled heading west in the direction of New York City.
The 27-year-old, who became a trooper in 2019, used a tourniquet to stem the bleeding until other officers arrived, James said.
Police at the time said there was no video footage of the incident the trooper’s body camera was not activated.
The camera activates automatically when the lights on a patrol car's roof are fully turned on; Mascia reported only turning on the rear lights of the bar.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Cop Shot, a New York City group, offered a total of $15,000 in rewards for information about the shooting.
FILE - A New York State Police logo is shown on a state police officer's car near Dannemora, N.Y., Friday, June 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder won their franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season game, 116-98 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.
The Thunder trailed by 16 in the first half before pulling within 52-48 at halftime. Shaking off a cold shooting first half, the Thunder exploded for 42 third-quarter points and an 18-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander also had a game high eight assists for the Thunder, who are 28-5 and have won 17 of their last 18 regular-season games. He did not play in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Williams scored 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 11 points and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City.
Amir Coffey led the Clippers with 26 points.
After shooting just 31% in the first half, the Thunder wound up at an even 50% for the game and added to their league-leading steal total with 11 takeaways.
Despite the slow start, the Thunder's depth eventually overwhelmed the Clippers, who were without James Harden, a late scratch.
Williams hit a runner at the halftime buzzer to cut the Clippers lead to four, then scored the first six points of the second half to jumpstart a 23-5 run that put the Thunder in control.
Norman Powell came into the game averaging a career high 24.3 points per game. He missed his first nine shots and didn’t get a basket until eight minutes remained, finishing with six points on 1-of-11 shooting including 0-for-5 from 3-point range.
The Thunder continue their homestand Friday night against the Knicks. The Clippers return home to host Atlanta on Saturday with the expected return of Kawhi Leonard.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams, center, looks to pass the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, knocks the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks for an outlet as Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
