RUSKIN, Fla. — Deputy Sopharmony Muon, who was shot in the face and hand during a deadly shootout in Ruskin earlier this week, walked out of Tampa General Hospital Saturday to a standing ovation from fellow deputies, medical staff, and community members.
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"The difference from here to here — it's me being here and not being here," Muon said from his hospital bed before his release, gesturing to show how close the bullet came to taking his life.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shared video on social media showing the emotional moment Muon left the hospital, struggling to hold back tears as colleagues applauded his recovery.
"Deputy Muon is officially heading home after his stay at the hospital, and he was sent off with an incredible clap-out from everyone who has been by his side through it all," HCSO wrote. "Deputy Muon's healing journey continues at home, but today was a celebration worth sharing!"
'Training Took Over'
Muon underwent surgery on his hand Friday after being shot in the jaw and hand Thursday during what started as a routine domestic violence call.
The deputy said despite the life-threatening injuries, his training kicked in immediately.
"Training just took over. I felt that hot feeling, and I knew — I don't know how much time I have left, but I know that I'm gonna work. I'm gonna win," Muon said.
The Shooting
Thursday afternoon, Deputy Muon and his partner, Deputy Colton Daniels, responded to a domestic violence call in Ruskin. When deputies attempted to make an arrest, the suspect, Chris Dmuchowski, opened fire, striking both deputies.
Daniels was shot in the neck. Muon was shot in the jaw and hand.
Despite their injuries, both deputies returned fire. Dmuchowski was killed at the scene.
"When I got hit and went down, I could feel it. The blood was pooling here and it was hot and my gun was already out," Muon recalled. "I moved my hand and I could see my finger was floppy and it wasn't working. So I transitioned over — like we train — I transitioned over to my right hand and I could see him under the car as I was laying there, and I had it pressed out, and I was waiting."
Muon said he believes divine intervention saved his life.
"God blessed me. I'm here. I'm here. A quarter-sized piece of metal ended up here," he said, pointing to where the bullet struck.
Both Deputies Recovering
Deputy Daniels, who was shot in the neck, was released from the hospital on Friday.
Both deputies are now facing a long road to recovery, but in separate interviews, each credited the overwhelming community support for their healing.
"The support from the community for what we do and what we have to go through every day and never knowing what we're going to walk into," Daniels said.
Muon echoed that gratitude.
"I'm going to take every opportunity I can to have a conversation, to learn something from someone. Every conversation I have, I learn something new. I love it. I'm humbled," he said.
Investigation Continues
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the agency will conduct an internal briefing on the shooting Monday.
"It's humbling and overwhelming at times," Muon said from his hospital bed. "But it's a good overwhelming."
His release from the hospital comes just a day after Deputy Colton Daniels, 39, was released from Tampa General Hospital one day after he was shot in the neck during the deputy-involved shooting in Ruskin.
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Body cam video, court records reveal years of warning signs before Hillsborough deputies were shot
Christopher Dmuchowski wounded 2 deputies who responded to a domestic violence call in Ruskin. Records show warning signs dating back years.