Family of NJ Man Shot by NYPD Seeks Meeting with Mayor to Discuss Injuries and Police Reform

Kishan Patel has been unable to walk or care for himself since an off-duty officer shot him in the head during a 2024 road rage incident.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:26pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, metallic object against a stark black background, conceptually representing the physical evidence from the crime scene and the need for a thorough investigation.The family of Kishan Patel hopes their advocacy will spur reforms to address issues like officer mental health and use of force within the NYPD.NYC Today

The family of Kishan Patel, a 30-year-old New Jersey man who was shot in the head by an off-duty NYPD officer in 2024, is seeking a meeting with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to discuss Patel's injuries, the medical expenses the family has incurred, and potential police reforms. Patel has been unable to walk or care for himself since the shooting, and his family has filed a federal lawsuit against the city to recover the costs of his care. They are hopeful that Mamdani's administration will be more receptive to their calls for an apology and acknowledgment of the harm they have experienced.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of force by NYPD officers and the need for better training, mental health support, and accountability measures within the department. The Patel family's advocacy could spur meaningful reforms to address issues like officer depression, PTSD, and alcoholism that may contribute to avoidable tragedies.

The details

In May 2024, off-duty NYPD officer Hieu Tran shot Kishan Patel in the head during a road rage incident in South New Jersey. Patel, who has been unable to walk or care for himself since the shooting, has racked up millions of dollars in medical expenses that his family is seeking to recover from the city through a federal lawsuit. Tran, who was suffering from depression, PTSD, and alcoholism at the time, was allowed to remain on the force and keep his service weapon despite his supervisors being aware of his mental health issues. After shooting Patel, Tran left him bleeding in the intersection and calmly drove away, going to work for the next two weeks as if nothing had happened.

  • In May 2024, off-duty NYPD officer Hieu Tran shot Kishan Patel in the head during a road rage incident.
  • Tran was given a 10-year sentence last year after pleading guilty to attempted murder.

The players

Kishan Patel

A 30-year-old New Jersey man who was shot in the head by an off-duty NYPD officer in 2024, leaving him unable to walk or care for himself.

Hieu Tran

The off-duty NYPD officer who shot Kishan Patel in the head during a 2024 road rage incident. Tran was suffering from depression, PTSD, and alcoholism at the time, but was allowed to remain on the force and keep his service weapon.

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, whose administration the Patel family hopes will be more receptive to their calls for an apology and acknowledgment of the harm they have experienced.

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What they’re saying

“No one has reached out to our family, or even acknowledged what happened. We'd really love for Mamdani to come to our home, hear Kishan's story and meet Kishan, to see what the family goes through every day.”

— Dan Gaughan, Kishan Patel's brother-in-law

“In Tran's case, it was well known that he was in a spiral and going downhill, and they did nothing about it. The culture of alcoholism throughout the force results in bad things happening. They arm these officers and are basically setting themselves up for bad things to happen. Tran is a clear example of that, so we're asking this mayor, knowing who this mayor is, and the police commissioner, to address this case and to address this family.”

— Dan Gaughan, Kishan Patel's brother-in-law

What’s next

The Patel family is hopeful that Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration will be more receptive to their calls for an apology and acknowledgment of the harm they have experienced. They are seeking a meeting with Mamdani to discuss Kishan's story and the need for reforms within the NYPD to address issues like officer mental health, alcoholism, and use of force.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the urgent need for the NYPD to address systemic issues within the department, including better screening, training, and support for officers struggling with mental health and substance abuse problems. The Patel family's advocacy could lead to meaningful reforms that prevent similar avoidable tragedies in the future.