A former New York City police officer who left a man paralyzed after a road rage shooting in Voorhees has been sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey state prison.
Hieu Tran, 28, of Yonkers, New York, must serve at least eight years and six months before becoming eligible for parole. Tran pleaded guilty to attempted murder on Nov. 5 in connection with the May 17, 2024, shooting.
During Monday’s sentencing, the victim’s mother, Manjina Patel, addressed the court through tears, describing how the shooting permanently changed her family’s life. She said she and other family members relocated to Texas to remain close to her son, Kishan Patel, now 32, who is receiving round-the-clock care at a rehabilitation facility.
“We packed our suitcases and moved our lives to Texas, leaving behind our daughter, our business and our home,” Patel told the court. “We don’t know how we’re supposed to move forward, but every day we will continue to fight to be back home together as a family.”
Tran also spoke at sentencing, apologizing for the shooting and expressing remorse. He said he prays daily for Kishan Patel’s recovery and said he deeply regrets his actions.
Authorities said the shooting occurred at the intersection of Route 73 and Cooper Road, where both men were sitting in their vehicles during what investigators described as a road rage encounter. Tran used his NYPD-issued firearm, and shell casings recovered at the scene were later matched to the weapon.
According to a federal lawsuit filed by Patel’s family on May 6, Tran opened fire with his service weapon, striking Patel and causing his vehicle to crash into several others. The lawsuit further alleges that Tran fled the scene, returned to New York, reloaded his weapon, and reported to work the following day.
A woman injured in the resulting five-vehicle crash suffered broken ribs along with injuries to her sternum and knee, according to reports.
