safety
Suspect who held woman hostage with zip ties ambushes, shoots deputies during arrest
By Thaddeus Randazzo at KGNS — Sitewide
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
RUSKIN, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) - Two Florida deputies were shot and flown to a hospital after a suspect ambushed them when they arrived to take him into custody Thursday.The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Chris Machowski, was also transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced ...
Key takeaway The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Chris Machowski, was also transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
Why this matters in Laredo News
The recent ambush of Florida deputies serves as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement face in Webb County's neighboring regions. Although this incident occurred outside of Laredo , it highlights the risks that local deputies may encounter when dealing with armed and dangerous suspects. The use of surveillance drones to gather information before approaching a potentially volatile situation is a tactic that could be considered by local law enforcement agencies in Laredo. In fact, the Laredo community may benefit from reviewing protocols for handling similar situations, where suspects are believed to be armed and dangerous. The bravery and quick thinking of Sgt. Harrison Bashner, who returned fire and struck the suspect, likely prevented further harm to the deputies involved. This incident may prompt local authorities to reassess their training and procedures for responding to high-risk situations, ensuring the safety of both law enforcement and the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? RUSKIN, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) - Two Florida deputies were shot and flown to a hospital after a suspect ambushed them when they arrived to take him into custody Thursday.The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Chris Machowski, was also transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Thaddeus Randazzo at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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