Man Shot by Off-Duty Cop Is Free on Bail

A Huntington Station taxi driver shot in an altercation with two off-duty Nassau County police officers early Sunday morning will return to court on Friday to face charges that his lawyer says are fabricated.

Thomas Moroughan was accused of driving his car into the two men after an argument on Oakwood Road early Sunday morning. The Nassau County officers, whom Suffolk County police declined to identify, said they had pulled their vehicles off to the side of the road when Moroughan, driving a cab, pulled off behind the men.

In the initial report, said that "The men engaged in a verbal altercation and Moroughan drove the taxi toward one of the officers, who was outside his vehicle. The officer fired his off-duty weapon into the taxi, identified himself as a police officer and told Moroughan to exit the vehicle. Moroughan refused to exit the taxi and the second police officer came to assist. Moroughan then struck both officers with his vehicle."

Moroughan suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and forearm. The officers were treated at for cuts and bruises.

His lawyer, William Petrillo, said Tuesday that "there was reckless driving on the part of the off-duty officers, which led to a verbal dispute on the side of the road."

Asked about the charges, Petrillo said, "He absolutely did not try to hit them with his car. These are fabricated charges, in a desperate effort to try to justify an unjustifiable shooting."

Moroughan pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and reckless endangerment charges Monday in  First District Court in Central Islip.

Suffolk County police said Tuesday afternoon that "The shooting is still under investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad. When the investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for review."