A lawsuit has been filed in connection with a road rage shooting involving an off-duty NYPD officer that left a man paralysed. The family of the victim, who was left permanently disabled after being shot in the head during a road rage incident in New Jersey, has taken legal action, claiming that the officer responsible should not have been carrying a gun due to alcoholism.
The shooting took place on May 17 in Voorhees, New Jersey, involving Officer Hieu Tran and 30-year-old Kishan Patel. The incident resulted in Patel becoming a quadriplegic and requiring lifelong care at a skilled nursing facility. Surveillance footage showed Patel’s car crashing into other vehicles after being shot by Tran at a traffic light.
Tran, who has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges, was identified as the shooter through various pieces of evidence. Prosecutors allege that Tran drove home after the shooting and then reported to work at the NYPD’s communications office. Despite claiming post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and alcohol abuse issues, he was found to be carrying a department-issued gun at the time of the incident.
The lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court by Patel’s mother names the city, the police department, Mayor Eric Adams, former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, and several unnamed police officials as defendants. The legal action seeks unspecified damages for the victim and his family. Tran, who has been suspended from the police department without pay, is awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons possession.
The lawsuit highlights concerns about Tran’s alcoholism and mental health issues being known to his superiors, raising questions about his suitability to carry a firearm. The case has brought attention to the need for proper screening and monitoring of officers’ mental health and behaviour to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring.