Deputies recovering after man violently ambushes them

Two Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were ambushed Thursday are recovering at Tampa General Hospital.

The Sheriff posted to X Friday morning, “Deputy Santos has a bilateral break in his leg with extensive ligament damage and will require surgery.”

Checked on our deputies at @TGHCares this morning, Deputy Santos has a bilateral break in his leg with extensive ligament damage and will require surgery. He and his wife are in good spirits and TGH is taking great care of them. pic.twitter.com/BukdxPDYsw

— Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) November 10, 2023

The Sheriff went on to post, “Deputy Brito is awake and surrounded by his family. The surgeons are monitoring his progress and continue to do everything possible to save his leg.”

According to HCSO, deputies went to Dexwell Court in Brandon Thursday after a woman called saying she was in fear of her 28-year-old son, Ralph Bouzy.

Deputies tried talking with Bouzy at the scene, but he drove away.

Not long after, Bouzy returned to the scene, suddenly ambushing the deputies. A deputy jumped out of the way to avoid getting hit by Bouzy. Continuing toward the deputies, Bouzy sped up toward the deputies standing outside of their marked vehicle, violently colliding with both of them.

“There is no other way to describe this other than an ambush,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our deputies put their lives on the line every day to protect this community, and what happened today makes me absolutely sick.”

Corporal Carlos Brito, 39, and Deputy Manuel Santos, 31, were treated at Tampa General Hospital for sustaining serious and critical injuries.

Bouzy was tasered after refusing law enforcement commands by a different deputy and taken into custody.

“Because of this man’s deliberate and intentional actions, their lives, and their family’s lives are changed forever,” added Sheriff Chad Chronister.

Bouzy faces charges of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.

This is an active investigation.