New York Trooper Shot While Trying to Assist Motorist, Suspect at Large

A New York State Trooper was shot and wounded Wednesday night on Long Island while offering aid to the suspect.

Trooper Thomas Mascia — who was hit in the leg on the Southern State Parkway at about 11:30 p.m. last night — was in “good spirits” Thursday after his operation at Nassau University Medical Center, according to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

The unidentified gunman — who is still on the loose — shot the 27-year-old Mascia as the trooper approached the suspect’s black Dodge Charger, which was parked on the parkway’s median in West Hempstead, ABC 7 reported.

Mascia, who thought the driver needed help, wrote down the car’s license plate before he got out of his cruiser, the station said.

“This trooper — his one and only intention was to help someone who appeared to need help,” State Police Major Stephen Eudice said at a Thursday press conference.

Another trooper responded to the shooting call and brought Mascia to the hospital, where he had surgery on his wounded leg, the New York Post reports.  

Mascia didn’t fire back at his attacker, who authorities said likely fled into New York City.