A Florida woman named Julie Ann Sulpizio, 48, was arrested for the ambush murder of a deputy and the injury of two other deputies. She is facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, seven counts of attempted murder, felony battery/strangulation, two counts of battery, and battery on a law enforcement officer. The incident took place in Lake County, Florida.
Sheriff Peyton Grinnell stated that Sulpizio was taken into custody on Monday afternoon at a hospital in Tavares, Florida. She had been transported there for treatment on Friday night. Sulpizio is currently in custody without bond.
The attack resulted in the death of Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, 28, and injuries to Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41, and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28. The deputies responded to a disturbance at a home and were met with gunfire upon entering the premises. Link was shot and tragically succumbed to his injuries.
According to Grinnell, Sulpizio was making religious comments during the attack, accusing people of being sinners and engaging in pedophilia. She claimed to be acting under God’s will and referred to herself as “Helen.” Sulpizio also mentioned tricking “Lucy,” believed to be a reference to Lucifer.
Sulpizio’s husband, Michael, was also involved in the incident and ambushed Deputy Link while armed. The couple’s daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne, were present and made disturbing statements before their deaths. The home where the incident occurred was found to contain a stockpile of weapons, ammunition, and anti-government propaganda.
Despite being under observation in the hospital prior to her arrest, Sulpizio showed no remorse for her actions. The investigation into the attack is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover more details about the motive behind the ambush. The tragic loss of Deputy Link and the injuries sustained by his colleagues have deeply impacted the law enforcement community in Lake County.
