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Investigation Continues Into Deputy's Shooting Of Man Carrying Pellet Gun

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TBO.com

Published: March 27, 2009

Authorities still don't know why 56-year-old Gilbert Velez pointed an Airsoft pellet gun at a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy Thursday night.

Deputy Ricco Palermo asked Velez to put the "assault-type" rifle down. Instead, Velez turned and pointed the gun at Palermo, who fired once, hitting Velez in the abdomen.

Velez was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he still is listed in critical condition. Palermo was not injured.

Prior to Thursday, Palermo had never been involved in a shooting and has received numerous commendations, said Debbie Carter, spokeswoman for the sheriff's department.

According to Airsplat.com, which claims to be the nation's largest Airsoft gun retailer, Airsoft guns are designed to be exact replicas of lethal firearms in both appearance and weight. One key difference, though, is that every Airsoft gun is marked with a red or orange tip at least 6 millimeters wide at the end of the barrel.

The red tip is there to indicate to police the gun is non-lethal.

After examining photos of the gun Velez was carrying, Carter said the pellet gun appeared to have a red tip on the barrel.

Palermo, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff's office, has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending a review of the incident.

The shooting occurred about 6:40 p.m. Thursday on Mango Road between Mango Elementary and a shopping center.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870.

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