Two Central Florida juveniles have been arrested for shooting a BB gun at a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
On Sunday, November 5, 2023, an HCSO deputy was responding to a call for service involving kids shooting BB guns near the intersection of Midway Street and Nundy Avenue in Gibsonton, just south of Tampa.
During the response, the deputy’s left rear window was shattered by a BB gun pellet. The deputy had a recruit in the car with him, both he and the recruit did not sustain injuries.
“I’m appalled at the behavior of these two individuals,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “They could have seriously injured someone and will now face the consequences for their actions.”
Alvaro Gallegos, 12, and Rolando Zuniga, 12, have been charged with two counts of Throwing a Deadly Missile Within or Into a Vehicle.
“Our deputies say goodbye to their loved ones each and every day, not knowing what a shift may hold,” said Sheriff Chronister. “We’re lucky, in this case, that there were no injuries. But this could have ended differently had our deputy lost control of their vehicle or hit another driver after this occurred.”
If anyone was driving in this area on Sunday, November 5, 2023, around 5pm and sustained any damage to their vehicle, please call 813-247-8200.
This investigation is ongoing.