RUSKIN — Two Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies were shot and a suspect was killed in Ruskin, Florida, on July 16, 2026. The shooting occurred after deputies responded to a report that Christopher Michael Dmuchowski, 34, had held a woman hostage at gunpoint overnight on July 15.

Deputies arrived at Dmuchowski’s residence on West Shell Point Road near U.S. 41 at approximately 9:52 a.m. on July 16. Officers used a drone to observe Dmuchowski leaving his residence and walking toward a van in the parking lot.

Dmuchowski opened fire from inside the van as deputies moved in to take him into custody. Deputy Sopharmony Muon was shot in the face and hand as he exited his patrol vehicle. Deputy Colton Daniels was shot in the neck while inside his patrol car.

“I’m hit! I’m in my car, I got hit in the neck!” Daniels said over the radio. Sergeant Harrison Bashner arrived at the scene and fired multiple shots at Dmuchowski, killing him. Bashner is a 27-year veteran of the sheriff’s office.

Muon and Daniels were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for treatment. Sheriff Chad Chronister stated that both wounded deputies were conscious and talking before being transported. Dmuchowski was pronounced dead at the same hospital.

During the initial incident, the woman reported that Dmuchowski gagged her with a sock and tape and zip-tied her. She stated that he told her he was going to kill her while holding her at gunpoint. The woman escaped on the morning of July 16 after Dmuchowski allowed her to leave for an appointment.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy-involved shooting. A temporary domestic violence protection order was granted against Dmuchowski in June 2026 following a petition filed by a woman who shared his address. Dmuchowski was arrested in May 2024 by the Bradenton Police Department for choking a woman until she lost consciousness. He pleaded no contest to possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia in 2024.

“Our suspect ambushed our deputies from the moment they arrived on scene,” Chronister said. “He was intent on taking the life of a deputy sheriff.” “The hand of God was with our deputies here today,” he said.