Former NYPD officer sentenced to 10 years for road rage shooting in New Jersey that resulted in victim’s paralysis.
A former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a road rage incident in which he shot and paralyzed a young businessman. Hieu Tran, who was inebriated at the time, received his sentence in Superior Court in Camden, New Jersey, on Monday, marking the culmination of a case that has raised significant questions regarding police conduct and accountability.
The incident occurred on May 17, 2024, when Tran, during an apparent dispute while driving, pulled alongside 30-year-old Kishan Patel near Route 73 and Cooper Road. Tran fired multiple shots through his vehicle’s window, striking Patel in the back of the head. The altercation did not end there; Tran continued driving after the shooting and collided with another vehicle, severely injuring a nurse. Following the shooting, Tran fled the scene. This incident not only left Patel a quadriplegic but also sparked outrage and concerns about the mental well-being and oversight of police officers.
Tran, who had been with the NYPD for three years and was assigned to the press office, lost his job shortly before his guilty plea to attempted murder. Reports indicate that he had intermittently struggled with depression and alcohol abuse, which he had communicated to his commanders prior to the incident. The circumstances surrounding his mental health, including episodes of untreated work-related PTSD, were highlighted during the court proceedings.
Patel was managing his family-owned businesses and had recently become engaged when the tragic event unfolded. As a result of the shooting, he has sustained severe injuries, including multiple broken vertebrae and an anoxic brain injury, necessitating continuous care in a specialized rehabilitation facility. His family, now facing significant emotional and financial strife, has reportedly spent nearly million to adapt their home to accommodate Patel’s lifelong medical needs. They have filed a lawsuit against Tran and the city, alleging that the NYPD enabled a toxic culture that contributed to Tran’s actions.
The nurse injured in the incident, Stephanie Hummel, has also pursued legal action. Legal representatives for both parties have yet to respond to inquiries regarding this case, and the Camden County prosecutor’s office, along with the city Law Department which represents the NYPD, have declined to comment. This case continues to shed light on pressing discussions surrounding police mental health issues and accountability in law enforcement actions.
