Nearly two years after a road‑rage shooting left him brain‑damaged and paralyzed, Voorhees resident Kishan Patel is finally back under his own roof. His relatives say they have turned the family home into a kind of mini intensive care unit so they can provide round‑the‑clock support as Patel works through a slow, uncertain recovery.
How the Road‑Rage Attack Unfolded
Prosecutors say the attack happened on May 17, 2024, when Patel was stopped at a red light at Route 73 and Cooper Road and was struck by gunfire that sent his pickup truck into oncoming traffic. Court filings state that three shell casings matching an NYPD service pistol were recovered at the scene and that one bullet hit Patel behind the ear.
The family says they have since brought Patel home and retrofitted the house to meet his medical needs, arranging continuous care for the 30‑year‑old. According to Justia and local reporting, those same filings detail the crash, his injuries and the long medical journey that followed.
The Criminal Case and 10‑Year Sentence
Authorities identified former NYPD officer Hieu Tran as the shooter, saying he was off duty and had been drinking before the confrontation. Tran later pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey state prison after a plea agreement.
NBC10 Philadelphia reported that prosecutors built the case with surveillance footage, cellphone data and ballistics evidence tying the recovered casings to an NYPD service weapon.
Civil Suit and Calls for Accountability
Separate from the criminal case, Patel's family has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of New York and the NYPD. The complaint alleges the department allowed an officer with known alcohol and mental‑health struggles to stay on the job and remain armed, despite warning signs.
Attorneys at the Marrone Law Firm and coverage in The Philadelphia Inquirer lay out the family’s argument that NYPD supervisory failures helped set the stage for the shooting. They also describe the family’s push for New York’s mayor to review department practices. "He should step up, not only for what this police officer did, but because he is responsible for this police department," attorney Joseph Marrone said in public comments reported by local outlets.
What the Family Faces Now
According to court documents and media reports, Patel has spent time in specialized care out of state and now requires lifelong skilled nursing and daily supervision. For his family, getting him home is a major emotional milestone, but it is not the finish line.
The federal civil case remains active in the Southern District of New York, as the Patels continue to seek accountability and long‑term financial support for his care. NBC10 Philadelphia coverage and the federal court docket both track Tran’s criminal sentence alongside the ongoing civil proceedings, which will help determine what resources the family will have for the years of care still ahead.
