A former New York state trooper was charged after he allegedly shot himself in the leg and falsely reported that he was wounded by an unknown gunman.

A former New York state trooper has been arrested and charged after prosecutors say he shot himself in the leg and then falsely claimed he was wounded by an unknown gunman on a Long Island highway last year.

A former New York state trooper who claimed he was shot in the line of duty is now being investigated as police say there was no assailant and that the state trooper allegedly staged the shooting scene to gain attention and support.