Two Hillsborough County deputies shot in an ambush Thursday, July 16, are alive because paramedics reached them in seven minutes and had them airborne toward Tampa General Hospital in 33 minutes, according to Sheriff Chad Chronister and fire rescue officials.

The shooting happened at 9:52 a.m. on West Shell Point Road in Ruskin, where deputies responded to a domestic violence call. The suspect, Christopher Dmuchowski, 34, opened fire as deputies approached, striking Deputy Sopharmony Muon, 33, in the face and Deputy Colton Daniels in the neck.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue deployed two rescue units and two ambulances with paramedics to the scene. HCFR Public Safety Information Chief Rob Herrin told WFLA the crews arrived within seven minutes of the first shots.

"We had two rescues on scene, two ambulances on scene with paramedics in 7 minutes," Herrin said Thursday.

Paramedics began treating the deputies on scene but determined air transport was the fastest route to Tampa General, Herrin said. Two helicopters were called in, and crews set up a landing zone on the southeast corner of Shell Point Road and U.S. 41. HCSO helicopter video shows the staging area at the intersection.

Thirty-three minutes after the first paramedic reached the scene, the helicopters were airborne and headed to Tampa General, Herrin said.

Chronister credited fire rescue directly for the outcome. The sheriff said his deputies "no doubt are alive and in better medical condition because of the care that they received under the guidance and medical supervision of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue."

Sgt. Harrison Bashner, a 28-year HCSO veteran, arrived during the gunfire and fatally shot Dmuchowski, according to the sheriff's office. Dmuchowski was taken to Tampa General and pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m.

Both deputies were alive and awake as of Thursday afternoon, with family members gathered at the hospital, according to WFLA. Muon has served with HCSO for two years; Daniels for four. Their names were released with their permission.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting the full investigation into the shooting, per standard protocol.

Residents with information related to the case can contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.