New York State trooper released from hospital after being shot on Long Island

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (PIX11) -- State trooper Thomas Mascia was given a hero's welcome as he was released from Nassau University Medical Center on Long Island on Friday.

He was released less than 48 hours after he was shot by what he thought was a stranded driver on the Southern State Parkway on Wednesday night.

The shooting happened near Exit 17 in West Hempstead around 11:45 p.m. when Mascia approached a Dodge Charger parked on the left side of the road, according to officials.

“As he approached the rear of the suspect’s vehicle, he heard several pops and realized he was wounded in his right leg,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said during a briefing Thursday morning.

Anyone with information is urged to call New York State Police Troop L at (631) 756-3300. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.