New York — A lawsuit was filed Tuesday in a Manhattan federal court by the family of Kishan Patel, a 30-year-old man who has been left quadriplegic after being shot in the head during what authorities describe as a road rage incident involving an off-duty New York City police officer in New Jersey. The lawsuit alleges that the officer, identified as Hieu Tran, had known issues with alcohol and mental health that should have prevented him from carrying a firearm.
According to prosecutors in Camden County, New Jersey, the dispute between Tran and Patel escalated at a red light in Voorhees on May 17. Surveillance video captured the moment Patel’s car sped across the intersection following the shooting, leading to a collision that involved multiple vehicles. Patel was discovered injured in his vehicle, suffering a critical head wound that has resulted in severe, lifelong disabilities.
Tran, who was arrested on June 6, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder and weapons possession. At his pretrial detention hearing in June, it was revealed through his defense attorney, Ross Gigliotti, that Tran is dealing with several personal challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and an ongoing struggle with alcohol.
However, this portrayal was sharply contrasted by Assistant Prosecutor Peter Gallagher, who described Tran as “a ticking time bomb waiting to go off,” expressing concerns about the potential recurrence of such an incident.
The shooting has had devastating consequences for Patel, who now requires 24/7 care at a skilled nursing facility, an ordeal that his mother, Manjina Patel, detailed in the lawsuit.
Further compounding the gravity of the case is the allegation that Tran’s supervisors at the NYPD were aware of his mental health and substance abuse issues well before the incident yet failed to take necessary actions that could have prevented him from carrying a department-issued weapon. The lawsuit seeks an undisclosed amount in damages and names not only Tran but also the city, the New York City Police Department, Mayor Eric Adams, former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, and several unidentified police officials.
Tran, 27, was suspended from his role in the NYPD’s communications office without pay subsequent to his arrest. While the NYPD has refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal proceedings, the serious accusations highlight ongoing debates about the adequacy of mental health evaluations and substance abuse monitoring within police departments.
These issues ring especially poignant in an era where police conduct is under immense scrutiny, raising broader questions about oversight and accountability in law enforcement. With the legal process still unfolding, the city’s responses and the outcomes of this case may prompt critical evaluations of policies regarding the fitness of law enforcement officers to carry service weapons.
Messages seeking comment from New York City’s law department and Tran’s legal representation were not immediately returned. As the legal proceedings continue, this case is likely to ignite further discussions on law enforcement practices and the imperative of ensuring the safety and well-being of both officers and the communities they serve.