Two Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies were shot this afternoon in Ruskin during an encounter on West Shell Point Road, Sheriff Chad Chronister said, turning a routine call into a frantic medical evacuation. Short videos shared by the sheriff show the deputies strapped to stretchers and being loaded into aircraft. Both deputies were taken to Tampa General Hospital, and the suspect was also shot and transported to a hospital. Authorities have not released any names or conditions.
As reported by Tampa Bay 28, the confrontation unfolded on West Shell Point Road and drew a heavy emergency response that remained on scene into the afternoon.
Scene and response
According to a post on the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, both deputies and a suspect were shot at the scene. Video released by the agency shows deputies on stretchers being rushed across the roadway as helicopters idle nearby and medics work quickly to get them airborne.
Investigation underway
The sheriff's office says the incident is under active investigation and has not released the identities of anyone involved or the conditions of those wounded. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has indicated updates will be shared as they are confirmed, while Tampa Bay 28 is treating the situation as a developing breaking story.
