Breaking news here at 42 Florida deputies shot by *** suspect in Hillsborough County. This happened near Ruskin, about 30 minutes south of Tampa. The sheriff says this started when *** woman came forward saying she was held hostage last night, and deputies started watching the suspect’s house and confronted him when he went to leave. The sheriff says they were immediately shot at. One deputy was shot in the face. The other was shot in the neck. The hand of God was with our deputies here today. Our suspect. Ambushed our deputies from the moment they arrived. Sheriff, the sheriff says the suspect was shot by *** 3rd deputy. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 2 deputies shot were taken to the hospital. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we get more information on their conditions.
Florida deputies shot in face and neck during ambush in Hillsborough County
Updated: 5:32 PM EDT Jul 16, 2026
Two deputies in Hillsborough County, Florida, were shot Tuesday in Ruskin, about 30 minutes south of Tampa, after confronting a suspect accused of holding a woman hostage, according to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff said the incident began when a woman reported being held hostage the previous night. Deputies started monitoring the suspect’s house and confronted him as he attempted to leave. The sheriff said the deputies were immediately fired upon, with one deputy being shot in the face and the other in the neck. “The hand of God was with our deputies here today,” the sheriff said. “Our suspect ambushed the deputies from the moment they arrived.” A third deputy shot the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The two injured deputies were taken to the hospital. Updates on their condition have not yet been provided.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. —
Two deputies in Hillsborough County, Florida, were shot Tuesday in Ruskin, about 30 minutes south of Tampa, after confronting a suspect accused of holding a woman hostage, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff said the incident began when a woman reported being held hostage the previous night. Deputies started monitoring the suspect’s house and confronted him as he attempted to leave.
The sheriff said the deputies were immediately fired upon, with one deputy being shot in the face and the other in the neck.
“The hand of God was with our deputies here today,” the sheriff said. “Our suspect ambushed the deputies from the moment they arrived.”
A third deputy shot the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The two injured deputies were taken to the hospital. Updates on their condition have not yet been provided.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.