A verbal argument inside a Northdale bar turned dangerous overnight when a 31-year-old man allegedly pulled a loaded revolver and threatened to shoot another patron, according to authorities. The confrontation unfolded around 1:36 a.m. at Tom’s Tavern in the 3800 block of Northdale Boulevard, ending with the intended victim shoving the gun aside before deputies arrived.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
said deputies responded to the tavern early Monday after receiving a call for service reporting the incident. According to the agency, a verbal argument escalated when Michael De Salvo pointed a loaded revolver at another man and threatened to shoot him.
The intended victim disarmed De Salvo himself, pushing the firearm away during the standoff, the sheriff's office said. The weapon was then secured inside a vehicle until deputies arrived on scene, per the same account.
Arrest and Charges Filed
De Salvo, 31, was taken into custody following the incident, the agency reported. He now faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed firearm into an unauthorized place, and use of a firearm while intoxicated, per the sheriff's office statement.
Under Florida law, aggravated assault is defined as an assault committed with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, or with intent to commit a felony, according to Florida Statutes § 784.021. The statute classifies the offense as a third-degree felony.
What Remains Unclear
The sheriff's office has not released the victim's name, age, or any information about injuries sustained during the confrontation. It also has not said whether the charges have been formally filed in court, nor has it disclosed a case number, bond amount, or scheduled court date for De Salvo.
No booking photograph or statement from De Salvo has been made public, and the exact street address of Tom’s Tavern beyond the 3800 block of Northdale Boulevard has not been specified by investigators.
