The attorney for the family of a New Jersey man who was shot by an off-duty NYPD officer in a so-called “road rage” incident is blaming the officer and the NYPD for allowing him to carry a gun despite a history of mental health and substance abuse issues.

The family held a press conference outside of the Southern District of New York Courthouse in Lower Manhattan Wednesday after filing a lawsuit against the city and the officer charged with attempted murder in the shooting.

“He just pulled up next to him and randomly shot him,” said Manjina Patel, the mother of the victim, 30-year-old Kishan Patel of New Jersey. “I was shocked when I found out it was an NYPD officer,” she went on to say.

The Patel family is suing the city, Mayor Eric Adams and 27-year-old off-duty NYPD Officer Hieu Tran — the officer charged in the shooting, who the family says has ruined Patel’s life.

“This is now Kishan as we speak. Kishan is now rendered a quadriplegic,” said Joseph M. Marrone, the attorney representing the Patel family. “He also suffers from a severe brain injury.”

According to the lawsuit, Patel, who had recently become engaged, was leaving work and driving home in Vorhees, New Jersey on May 17 when Officer Tran pulled up alongside Patel’s car and fired several shots, striking Patel in the back of the head. Camden County prosecutors allege that the shooting caused Patel’s vehicle to veer into the intersection and into another car.

Prosecutors said Tran fled the scene and returned to work before being arrested about three weeks later at NYPD headquarters where he worked in the Office of Public Information.

Prosecutors said detectives used surveillance video, cellphone records and ballistics evidence to identify Tran as the shooter.

Tran is locked up in Camden County, New Jersey and is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons possession for an unlawful purpose. The Patel family said he should not have been allowed to carry a department-issued firearm, which prosecutors said Officer Tran used to shoot Patel.

“It’s well documented in the detention hearing that the commanding officer knew about his drug abuse, his alcohol dependency,” Marrone said. “Told him to get some help but did nothing about it.”

“She just wants everyone to be held accountable for this vicious crime and justice to be served,” said Dan Gaughan, referring to Patel’s mother. Gaughan is the fiancé of Patel’s sister.

Patel’s family said he’ll need special medical care for the rest of his life.

“He really enjoyed his life, he worked every day,” Mrs. Patel said. “He runs three businesses. He’s a great son and brother.”

The NYPD did not respond to NY1’s questions about the lawsuit, only confirming that Tran is till suspended without pay.