An additional $10,000 has been added to the reward offered in the ongoing manhunt for the gunman who shot and wounded a state trooper in Long Island, officials said Friday.
The reward was announced as state Trooper Thomas Mascia was released from Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow after the gunman shot him in the leg Wednesday night.
Scores of troopers and Long Island cops were on hand to cheer Mascia on as he left the hospital and headed to an awaiting van that took him home.
Officials said the violence unfolded just before midnight on the Southern State Parkway’s westbound lanes near Exit 17 in West Hempstead.
Mascia was approaching a Dodge Charger with temporary New Jersey tags that had been pulled over by the divider when the gunman opened fire at him.
“We understand this trooper was attempting to see if the motorist needed assistance. For his efforts, he was fired upon and struck by a bullet,” said John Provetto, the chairman of COP-SHOT, which is offering the $10,000 reward. “Someone out there knows something, and we urge them to call.”
The reward money will be awarded based on information that leads to an arrest and conviction or that results in the suspect’s guilty plea.
Another trooper treated Mascia at the scene just before an ambulance raced him to Nassau University Medical Center, where he underwent surgery.
The gunman fled the scene. He was last seen heading west on the Southern State toward New York City in the black Dodge Charger, which had custom matte-gray dual exhaust tips, officials said.
The temporary New Jersey license plates read 997636T.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers announced Thursday that it is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the shooter, which, when combined with COP-SHOT’s offer, brings the total reward amount up to $15,000.
New York State Police are now asking for the public’s help in locating the alleged gunman. Anyone with information is urged to call the department at (631) 756-3300. People can also call COP-SHOT at (800) COP-SHOT. All calls will be kept confidential.