SEFNER, Fla. — A Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy shot a man who was carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle near an elementary school. Authorities later discovered it was a toy gun.Deputy Ricco Palermo, a 10-year veteran of the department, confronted the man with the weapon Thursday night and told him to lower it. Instead 56-year-old Gilbert Velez pointed it at the deputy. The deputy fired, hitting the man in the stomach. He is listed in critical condition at the hospital.Authorities later saw that Velez was carrying an AirSoft BB gun, which uses a mold to capture the look, feel and weight of a real weapon.Palmero is on paid leave while the investigation continues.
You, Velez, out of the gene pool.
