Ex-New York State Trooper Admits to Orchestrating His Own Shooting

A former New York State Trooper has admitted to staging his own shooting in a dramatic scheme that sparked a massive manhunt across Long Island in late 2023.

Thomas Mascia, once a trusted member of the New York State Police, pleaded guilty Wednesday to multiple charges connected to the false report, including official misconduct, evidence tampering, and filing falsified records.

The now-disgraced officer agreed to serve six months in jail, followed by five years of probation with continued mental health treatment. He will also be required to repay $289,000 to cover the extensive overtime and resources spent on the three-day search for a suspect who never existed.

Mascia’s sentencing is scheduled for August 20th in Nassau County Court.

According to prosecutors, the 34-year-old from West Hempstead deliberately shot himself in the leg in a nearby park on October 30th, 2023, and concocted an elaborate story, claiming a stranger had opened fire on him from a parked vehicle on the Southern State Parkway, not far from his home.

He alleged the shooter was a “dark-skinned man” who sped away in a car with temporary New Jersey plates, triggering an intense, multi-agency investigation.

Investigators later uncovered that Mascia had fabricated the entire scenario. They say he hid the weapon used in the self-inflicted shooting, drove to the highway, and radioed for help. His actions set off panic and an urgent manhunt that would waste hundreds of man-hours.

Mascia, who joined the force in 2019, was suspended without pay following the incident and eventually resigned. His defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, has previously said Mascia had been struggling with long-term mental health issues.

In a related development, Mascia’s parents, Dorothy and Thomas Mascia Sr., were also scheduled to enter guilty pleas Wednesday on firearms-related charges, although specific details about their involvement have not been released.

Mascia had previously attempted to change his plea earlier this month, but proceedings were temporarily delayed when he told the court he was mentally unwell.

Ex-New York State Trooper Admits to Orchestrating His Own Shooting