New Jersey Man Shot by Off-Duty NYPD Officer Returns Home with Round-the-Clock Care

Kishan Patel, victim of a 2024 road rage shooting, requires specialized care after over a year of rehabilitation.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:08pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bullet casing, its metallic surface reflecting the harsh light of the camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the violent and sudden nature of the crime that left Kishan Patel with life-altering injuries.A single bullet casing from the 2024 road rage shooting that forever changed the Patel family's life.Philadelphia Today

Kishan Patel, a 32-year-old New Jersey resident, has returned home after spending 17 months in a rehabilitation facility in Texas. Patel was shot multiple times by an off-duty NYPD officer in a 2024 road rage incident on Route 73 in Voorhees, New Jersey. The shooting left Patel with limited brain activity and paralysis, requiring specialized around-the-clock care. His family has spent over $1 million on home renovations to accommodate his needs and has filed a lawsuit against the NYPD and New York City, alleging the department knew the officer had a history of alcohol abuse and mental health issues.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact of road rage incidents and the need for better oversight and accountability within law enforcement agencies. The Patel family's struggle to care for their son and the lack of support from the NYPD raise questions about how police departments handle officers with known behavioral issues and the consequences for victims of such incidents.

The details

In May 2024, Kishan Patel was heading home when he encountered Hieu Tran, an off-duty NYPD officer, who was leaving a wedding in South Jersey. Investigators say Tran used his service weapon to shoot Patel multiple times on Route 73 in Voorhees in what has been described as a case of road rage. Tran was fired from the force and later pleaded guilty to attempted murder, receiving a 10-year prison sentence. The Patel family has filed a lawsuit against the NYPD and New York City, alleging they knew Tran had a history of alcohol abuse and mental health challenges but failed to address them.

  • In May 2024, the road rage incident occurred on Route 73 in Voorhees, New Jersey.
  • In 2025, Hieu Tran pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
  • In 2026, Kishan Patel returned home after spending 17 months in a rehabilitation facility in Texas.

The players

Kishan Patel

A 32-year-old New Jersey resident who was shot multiple times by an off-duty NYPD officer in a 2024 road rage incident, leaving him with limited brain activity and paralysis.

Manjina Patel

Kishan Patel's mother, who says the family's life has completely changed and is now based around caring for their son.

Hieu Tran

An off-duty NYPD officer who shot Kishan Patel multiple times in a 2024 road rage incident. Tran was fired from the force and later pleaded guilty to attempted murder, receiving a 10-year prison sentence.

Joseph Marrone

The Patel family's attorney, who is calling on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to recognize the case and hold the NYPD accountable.

Dan Gaughan

Kishan Patel's brother-in-law, who says the incident could have been avoided and hopes it will lead to changes in how the NYPD handles officers with known behavioral issues.

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What they’re saying

“Our life has completely changed, our life is just based around Kishan.”

— Manjina Patel, Kishan Patel's mother

“He's breathing on his own 100%.”

— Manjina Patel, Kishan Patel's mother

“Nobody's actually come forward to us from New York, NYPD, nobody has ever checked up on how our family is doing.”

— Manjina Patel, Kishan Patel's mother

“This should be the case that kind of wakes up the mayor, wakes up the police commissioner, and the entire NYPD to do something about their hiring practices and how they maintain and retain officers going forward.”

— Joseph Marrone, The Patel family's attorney

“It's just something so careless that could be avoidable that doesn't need to happen, and if it could be stopped, it would just be great, so other families don't have to go through this.”

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

What’s next

The Patel family is calling on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to recognize their case and hold the NYPD accountable for its hiring practices and how it handles officers with known behavioral issues.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability within law enforcement agencies to prevent incidents of excessive force and ensure the safety of the public. The Patel family's struggle to care for their son and the lack of support from the NYPD underscore the far-reaching consequences of such incidents and the importance of addressing underlying issues within police departments.