Tampa police: Gun accidentally discharged during arrest of 3 burglary suspects

The Tampa Police Department says an officer’s gun accidentally fired during a struggle with one of the suspects, but no one was injured.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa police arrested three burglary suspects during an overnight operation that, they say, led to an officer’s gun accidentally firing.

Tampa police say they worked with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to track the suspects in a string of burglaries at local businesses.

Early on the morning of Friday, Aug. 14, Tampa police officers say they saw the suspects targeting a McDonald’s before breaking into the Taiwan Express restaurant on U.S. 41 in Gibsonton.

As officers moved in to arrest the three suspects, TPD says one ran out the back door and began resisting the officers. During the struggle, a Tampa police officer’s gun accidentally discharged. The department says no law enforcement, suspects, or bystanders were injured.

Tampa police say the investigation into the burglaries and the accidental discharge is ongoing.