Hillsborough County deputy released from hospital after ‘ambush' shooting in Ruskin

TAMPA, Fla. - One Hillsborough County deputy has been released from the hospital, and another is recovering after they were injured in an ambush shooting in Ruskin on Thursday.

"It was like nothing we ever expected," said Deputy Colton Daniels. "We never expected a guy out of nowhere to start shooting rounds at us. I saw my partner being shot at and the next thing I know they were shooting rounds at me, and I wasn’t even stopped in the car yet. Honestly, looking back, the training, it literally just kicked in. Like, I knew once I saw the gun pointed at me. I heard the gunshots. I knew to try to get cover. Get behind something solid in the car. Once I realized I was shot, the first aid side took effect. I was trying to put pressure on it. Stop the bleeding and get somewhere safe and get someone else to help render aid."

Ruskin deputy shooting details

The backstory:

Deputies located Chris Dmuchowski on Shell Point Road in Ruskin after his ex-girlfriend escaped hostage captivity Thursday morning. The woman told investigators Dmuchowski zip-tied her, taped a sock in her mouth, and held her at gunpoint at her home on Wednesday night.

When deputies arrived at the Ruskin location, a drone operator observed Dmuchowski heading toward a parking lot van. Dmuchowski punched his hand through the vehicle door and fired a barrage of shots at the first deputy, hitting him in the face.

Dmuchowski then shot a second deputy in the neck before the deputy could step out of his car. A third deputy took a tactical position from behind and shot Dmuchowski multiple times, killing him. 

Both wounded deputies were flown to Tampa General Hospital, where Sheriff Chad Chronister visited them Friday morning.

"Nothing short of a miracle," Chronister said. "Again, how if these bullets would have been millimeters either direction, we would be talking about paralyzation. We would be talking possibly even death to one or both deputies."

Chronister said Deputy Muon was scheduled to have surgery on Friday and Deputy Daniels was released. 

Deputy Daniels said the support has been overwhelming.

Hillsborough deputy recovery status

What they're saying:

"We are incredibly grateful that Deputy Daniels is on his way to a full recovery. This has been a difficult time for him, his family, and our entire Sheriff's Office, but his strength through this has been remarkable," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "We want to thank TGH for providing incredible care and to the community for all of the support, prayers, and well-wishes during this time."

Hillsborough CountyCrime and Public Safety