Wounded Hillsborough deputies recognized after surviving ambush attack
HCSO deputies shot in Ruskin honored
Three Hillsborough County law enforcement officers will be honored Wednesday afternoon following a July ambush shooting that left two of them wounded. FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - Three Hillsborough County law enforcement officers were honored Wednesday afternoon following a July ambush shooting that left two of them wounded.
Deputies honored
The backstory:
Deputies Sopharmony Muon and Colton Daniels were shot upon arriving at a domestic violence call in Ruskin, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says. Muon suffered gunshot wounds to the face and hand, while Daniels was struck in the neck. Despite their injuries, both deputies continued attempting to subdue the suspect.
The deputies had been surveilling the home in Ruskin using a drone after the suspect's ex-girlfriend said he had pulled a gun on her the night before.
Sheriff Chronister says the suspect opened fire on the deputies from a concealed position.
Sgt. Harrison Bashner arrived during the exchange of gunfire and shot and killed the suspect. Bashner will be recognized alongside Muon and Daniels during the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Third Quarter Awards Ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
"I drove over people's yards to get there to possibly prevent him being able to physically run away," said Bashner. "And as I exited the vehicle, I could hear the gunshots and I immediately was able to see where he was. Immediately respond."
Both injured deputies walked out of the hospital days after the shooting and are expected to make full recoveries. They say they were just doing their jobs.
Community support grows
What they're saying:
"It's not just us," Muon said. "Hillsborough County, the Sheriff's Office, the deputies, we're here. And I know I'm not alone in how I feel … we would have done this for her [the victim]. We would've done this [for] anyone. And I'm so humbled that the community is pouring it back in."
They were also joined by more than three dozen staff at TGH who worked to stabilize them after arrival.
That includes doctors, nurses and security officials.
What the future holds
What's next:
Sgt. Bashner is back on regular duty, but Deputies Muon and Daniels are still working at making a full return to patrol.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.