RUSKIN — Two Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies were shot Thursday morning after authorities say an armed convicted felon ambushed them as they attempted to take him into custody at a residential complex on West Shell Point Road in Ruskin.
The shooting occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. on West Shell Point Road.
The 34-year-old suspect was shot by a third deputy and later died at Tampa General Hospital.
During a press conference, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister described the attack as a deliberate attempt to kill law enforcement officers.
“I don’t believe I can underscore the severity of what occurred here today,” Chronister said. “Our suspect ambushed our deputies from the moment they arrived on scene. He was intent on taking the life of a deputy sheriff.”
The investigation began after Machowski’s former girlfriend went to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office district office in southern Hillsborough County seeking an order of protection.
According to Chronister, the woman told deputies that Machowski arrived at her home on Wednesday night, restrained her legs with zip ties, and placed a sock in her mouth before covering her mouth with tape.
The woman said Machowski held her at gunpoint throughout the night and repeatedly threatened to kill her as she drifted in and out of consciousness.
“Make no mistake about it. She was a hostage,” Chronister said. “She was held captive all night long.”
When the woman awakened Thursday morning, she discovered that she was no longer restrained. Machowski was still inside the residence, but she told him she had an appointment she could not miss. He allowed her to leave, and she went directly to the sheriff’s office.
After hearing her account, deputies determined that the case involved significantly more than a request for a protective order and began working to locate Machowski.
Investigators identified the suspect, his vehicle, and his location at a residential complex on West Shell Point Road. Deputies believed Machowski was inside the residence alone and still armed.
Because there was no immediate need to enter the home, a trained drone operator launched a sheriff’s office drone to conduct surveillance from a safe distance.
The drone operator later saw Machowski leave the residence and walk toward a parking lot where maintenance workers were present. He approached a van as deputies moved in to arrest him.
Chronister said the first arriving deputy, identified as Deputy Moon, pulled near the van as Machowski opened its side door.
According to the sheriff, body-camera and drone footage showed Machowski force his hand through part of the vehicle to obtain a clearer angle before opening fire.
Deputy Moon had barely stepped from his patrol vehicle when he was met by a barrage of gunfire. Multiple rounds struck the patrol vehicle, and one bullet struck Moon in the face, causing him to collapse.
A second deputy, identified as Deputy Daniels, arrived almost simultaneously. Chronister said Machowski immediately opened fire on Daniels’ patrol vehicle, shooting through it and striking the deputy in the neck before he could get out.
A third deputy, Sgt. Bashner approached from behind and took a tactical position. Bashner saw Machowski firing at Daniels and returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times and ending the attack.
Chronister praised Bashner, a 27-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, for his response.
“Sergeant Bashner, job well done,” Chronister said.
Moon and Daniels were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where they were undergoing treatment Thursday afternoon. Sheriff’s office personnel transported their family members to the hospital to be with them.
Machowski was also taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.
Chronister said Machowski was a convicted felon who was convicted in 2023 of felony tampering with physical evidence.
The sheriff credited the deputies’ training and willingness to confront the armed suspect with preventing additional injuries to residents and workers in the complex.
“Our suspect’s reign of terror ended today because of the training, the bravery, and heroic actions of each of these deputies,” Chronister said.
Chronister also thanked Hillsborough County Fire Rescue personnel for treating the wounded deputies at the scene and during their transport to the hospital.
“Our deputies no doubt are alive and in better medical condition because of the care that they received,” Chronister said.
Sheriff Chronister visited both injured deputies, who were alert and conscious, in the hospital.
The deputy-involved shooting remains under investigation.