Gun that shot Hillsborough deputy is same caliber as his weapon

TAMPA — The bullet that struck Hillsborough County sheriff's Deputy Miguel Galarza in the back of the neck last month came from a .40-caliber gun, new ballistics test results show. The deputy fired a round from a gun of the same caliber during the struggle.

But results haven't matched the bullet to his gun, said sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter. "It's not clear at this moment."

On Oct. 13, Galarza was trying to handcuff a home invasion suspect in Town 'N Country when the man rose and struggled with him, deputies said. A gun fired, hitting Galarza. The bullet passed through his neck, but he was spared any major damage.

Miguel Serrano, 28, had a .38- caliber gun, deputies said. He remains in jail without bail, on charges of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery/home invasion and possession of cannabis.

Could Galarza have shot himself by accident? Did the bullet ricochet? Could the suspect have been carrying a second weapon?

Carter said none of those questions can be answered by Friday's ballistics test results.

Deputies also arrested a second suspect in the case, 35-year-old Victor Maldonado, but said they don't think he was connected to the shooting.