The authorities have initiated a criminal investigation, in addition to the internal one, in the case of a now suspended New York state police officer who said he was shot by a suspect on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway last week.

State police noted at a news conference Wednesday that both investigations into Trooper Thomas Mascia were “far from over,” and said there are a number of questions that need to be answered. But they have reason to believe “the incident did not occur as reported,” officials said.

Sources familiar with the investigation say they are investigating whether Mascia shot himself in the leg, contrary to what was reported. A state police spokesman confirmed that he had been suspended without pay because he was found to have violated State Police rules and standards. They did not provide further details about the background of the violation.

They have confiscated his service weapon, his shield and his identification document.

Earlier this week, sources with knowledge of the situation said a large sum of cash and weapons were seized during a search warrant executed at his home. State Police referenced that search at Wednesday’s briefing, although they declined to provide additional information about the warrant or what evidence was seized.

Authorities say they are no longer searching for the black sedan Mascia described as being involved, nor are they looking for other persons of interest. They continue to work closely with the Nassau County district attorney’s office, the troop commander said, to evaluate the evidence and determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

Investigators had initially offered a $10,000 reward for information. in the Mascia shooting. Mascia was patrolling just before midnight last Wednesday on the westbound highway near Exit 17 in West Hempstead, about a mile from his parents’ house, when he said he saw a black sedan parked illegally in the median of the road.

New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia is on the road to recovery and was released from the hospital Friday, days after he was shot on the Southern State Parkway while authorities said he was trying to help what he thought was He was a needy driver. It comes as the search continues for the person who pulled the trigger. NBC New York’s Greg Cergol reports.

State police had said Mascia said he was looking to help what may have been a stranded motorist, so the 27-year-old pulled up behind the vehicle, wrote down the license plate and got out of his patrol car. As he approached the back of the black sedan, investigators said, the officer heard a series of gunshots and realized he had been hit in the leg.

Mascia retreated to cover behind his vehicle as the alleged shooter drove away. He was later able to treat his wounds, applying a tourniquet before being taken to a hospital. The incident was not captured on body camera.

The five-year state police veteran is expected to make a full recovery.

Police at the time said there was no video footage of the incident because the officer’s body camera was not activated. The camera activates automatically when a patrol car’s dome lights are fully on; Mascia reported that he only turned on the bar’s taillights.

A 27-year-old state trooper was shot in the leg while approaching a vehicle on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway. Officials announced a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of a suspect who escaped in a vehicle with a temporary New Jersey license plate. The state trooper’s injuries were described as non-life-threatening. NBC New York’s Greg Cergol reports.

Mascia did not respond to phone messages seeking comment earlier this week, and an attorney representing him also did not respond to an email. The New York State Police Benevolent Association, a union representing state police officers, said it is not involved in the investigation but is monitoring the situation.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Cop Shot, a New York City group, offered a total of $15,000 in rewards for information about the shooting.