RUSKIN, Fla. — Deputy Colton Daniels, 39, was released from Tampa General Hospital one day after being shot in the neck during a deputy-involved shooting in Ruskin.
Deputy Sopharmony Muon, 33, remains hospitalized after being shot in the face and hand. He had surgery on his hand Friday.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the bullet that struck Daniels in the neck passed through.
"It was a through and through. It went out the back of his neck and by the grace of God, never hit any vital arteries or cervical spine," Chronister said.
Muon was shot in the face and hand. The sheriff said Muon received stitches on the side of his face where the bullet and fragments entered his jaw.
Daniels described the moment the shooting began.
"It was just scary. Like we pulled up. It wasn't anything we expected. I mean we never expected the guy just out of nowhere to start shooting rounds at us. I saw my partner being shot at. Next thing I know there was a gun pointed at me and I wasn't, I wasn't even stopped in the car yet," Daniels said.
The shooting happened Thursday morning on West Shell Point Road. The investigation began after a victim came to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office District 4 office and reported that her ex-boyfriend, Christopher Dmuchowski, 34, held her captive at gunpoint throughout Wednesday night.
Deputies responded to Dmuchowski's residence at 9:52 a.m. after learning he was armed and alone. They launched a drone for surveillance and observed Dmuchowski exit the apartment and walk toward a vehicle in the parking lot.
As Muon arrived on scene, Dmuchowski opened fire, shooting Muon before he could close his car door. Daniels arrived simultaneously and was shot before he could open his car door.
Sergeant Harrison Bashner, 53, arrived during the gunfire and shot the suspect. Dmuchowski, a convicted felon, was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m.
"This suspect was intent on killing our deputies," Chronister said. "He ambushed them, and he would have succeeded if not for the heroic actions of one of our own. Because of the training, technology, and equipment our deputies are provided, this response was a success. They are trained to react under the most dangerous circumstances, and that preparation made all the difference today."
WATCH: Deputy Daniels speaks after deadly shootout in Ruskin
Daniels said his training took over in the moments after he was shot.
"Looking back, after the fact, the training, it literally just kicked in. Like I knew, once I saw the gun pointed at me and hearing gunshots, I knew to try to get cover, get behind something solid on the car. Once I realized I was shot, the first aid side took effect. I was trying to put pressure on it, trying to stop the bleeding, get out of the car, get somewhere safe, and just try to get somebody else to help render aid," Daniels said.
The drone footage released by HCSO captured the moment Muon was shot. Audio from deputies monitoring the drone captured the moments before the shooting.
"He's coming around front," a deputy said on the audio.
After the shooting, radio traffic captured the urgency of the scene.
"We're gonna need more EMS. Send us a couple more ambulances," a deputy said.
I also obtained a domestic violence petition issued June 5 of this year. The petition states the victim and Dmuchowski were arguing the day prior and that he choked her. The petition also reads, "Please help me. Tried all I can think of." The petition was dismissed when she failed to appear in court.
Chronister addressed the prior domestic violence history Thursday.
"We're not able to find any previous documented cases of domestic violence that are reported to us involving our suspect, but I commend the actions of this brave victim who said, I don't want this to happen to me," Chronister said.
"This suspect's reign of terror ended today because of the training, bravery, and heroic actions of these deputies," Chronister said. "I want to thank the deputies who immediately responded after hearing desperate calls for help. I also want to recognize our dispatchers. Their professionalism and calm under immense pressure helped coordinate this response from the very beginning. We are grateful for everything they do."
The sheriff said the drone surveillance kept deputies at a safer distance from a suspect known to be violent.
"One of our trained deputies that are trained in drone operations launches a drone. And now the drone is doing surveillance instead of our deputies having to be so nearby and so close to someone we know is violent," Chronister said.
Daniels said the support from the community has meant a great deal.
"It's been absolutely overwhelming. I mean, the support from community that's already reached out, from the sheriff's office, from the hospital, I mean everything is just, it's overwhelming with the amount of support people have shown already," Daniels said.
Daniels and his family are asking for privacy as he continues his recovery at home. The sheriff's office said it will provide updates on Muon as they become available.
Muon has been with HCSO for 2 years. Daniels has been with HCSO for 4 years. Bashner has been with HCSO for 28 years. Their names were released with their permission.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct a full investigation. An internal debrief on the shooting is scheduled for Monday.
"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," Chronister said. "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."
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