An Indian-origin resident of New Jersey, Kishan Patel, has returned to his family home after spending two years in a Texas rehabilitation center. He was left paralyzed following a road rage shooting by an off-duty New York City police officer. The family invested over $1 million to adapt their residence with necessary medical accommodations, as Patel is unable to walk or manage daily activities independently. He experienced cardiac arrest during the incident, leading to brain damage and a fractured vertebra. ‘Our goal is to ensure Kishan’s comfort and remove the clinical atmosphere,’ said his mother, Manjina Patel, during a media briefing on April 9 upon his arrival. Patel no longer requires a ventilator for breathing. The event occurred on May 17, 2024, at the junction of Route 73 and Cooper Road in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. Authorities arrived at the scene of a reported accident and discovered Patel with gunshot injuries. Video evidence identified the perpetrator as Hieu Tran, a New York City Police Department officer, who fired his service weapon during the confrontation. Tran was off duty, having just left a wedding, when the altercation happened. He shot Patel several times, then returned to his New York residence, reloaded his firearm, and went to work the following day. Tran was convicted and received a 10-year prison sentence on December 15, 2025. His legal team cited mental health challenges and issues with alcohol. The Patel family has filed a lawsuit against New York City, calling on Mayor Zohran Mamdani to examine the matter and assess NYPD procedures. Manjina Patel told CBS News that no one from the department had contacted them to inquire about their well-being. ‘This incident should prompt the mayor, police commissioner, and the whole NYPD to reform their recruitment and officer management policies,’ stated Joseph Marrone, the family’s lawyer.
