A Florida sheriff’s deputy, Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, was released from the hospital after being shot in an “ambush” attack that killed one deputy, Master Deputy Bradley Michael Link, and left him and another deputy, Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, wounded. The incident occurred in Eustis, Florida, when the deputies responded to a welfare check request. Gargano, who was shot multiple times, underwent several surgeries and is expected to make a full recovery. Howell, who was shot in the shoulder, was released from the hospital earlier. The deputies were met with gunfire by the suspect’s husband, Michael Sulpizio, when they entered the home after seeing two dead dogs outside. Sulpizio’s wife, Julie Sulpizio, was charged with first-degree murder, premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, and other charges for the shooting.
The deputies found the back door of the home kicked in and heard a disturbance inside after discovering the dead dogs. Michael Sulpizio was waiting inside with a rifle and body armor, firing at the deputies. Link was shot and later died of his injuries. Authorities were responding to a call reporting Sulpizio assaulting people and making religious comments accusing them of being sinners. Sulpizio later admitted to attempting to lure her neighbors to her home so her husband could kill them. The couple’s daughters were also inside the home during the incident, and were heard making threatening statements. Michael and his daughters were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads, and deputies later discovered a stockpile of weapons, ammunition, and conspiracy theory-related material in the home.
Gargano, who was critically injured in the shooting, underwent at least five surgeries in the last month before being released to recover at home with his family. He is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries. Howell, the other wounded deputy, was released from the hospital earlier than Gargano after being shot in the shoulder during the ambush. Julie Sulpizio, who has been charged with first-degree murder and other charges in the shooting, could face the death penalty if found guilty. The sheriff’s department has not commented on the incident publicly. The deputies responded to a call about Sulpizio trespassing and attacking people before the deadly ambush occurred in Eustis, Florida.
The incident involving the shooting of Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, Master Deputy Bradley Michael Link, and Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell in Eustis, Florida, was described as an “ambush” by Lake County Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell. Link later succumbed to his injuries after being shot by the suspect’s husband, Michael Sulpizio, who was armed with a rifle and wearing body armor. During a search of the Sulpizios’ home, authorities discovered a stockpile of weapons, ammunition, and conspiracy theory-related material. Julie Sulpizio, the suspect, was arrested and charged with multiple serious offenses, including first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and attempted murder. The couple’s daughters were also found deceased with gunshot wounds to their heads.
Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell described the incident as an “ambush” that led to the death of Master Deputy Bradley Michael Link and the shooting of Deputies Stefano Gargano and Harold Howell. Gargano underwent multiple surgeries after being shot “numerous” times and is now recovering at home with his family. Howell, who was shot in the shoulder, was released from the hospital earlier than Gargano. The suspect, Julie Sulpizio, has been charged with first-degree murder, premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, and numerous other serious charges. Michael Sulpizio and their daughters were also found deceased in the home with gunshot wounds to their heads. The incident involved a call reporting the suspect trespassing and assaulting people, with deputies responding to the welfare check request that resulted in the ambush and subsequent shootings.
In responding to a call regarding Julie Sulpizio trespassing and assaulting people in Eustis, Florida, deputies Stefano Gargano, Harold Howell, and Bradley Michael Link were ambushed by Sulpizio’s husband, Michael, who was armed with a rifle and wearing body armor. Link later died from his injuries, while Gargano and Howell were wounded in the attack. Sulpizio, who was found with a stockpile of weapons, ammunition, and conspiracy theory-related material in her home, has been charged with first-degree murder and other offenses. Gargano, who underwent several surgeries for his injuries, is expected to recover fully and is now at home with his family. Howell, who was released from the hospital earlier, was also wounded in the shoulder during the incident.
