Julie Ann Sulpizio, a 48-year-old Florida woman, has been arrested in connection with an ambush attack that killed one sheriff’s deputy and wounded two others. She has been indicted on several charges, including attempted first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer and battery on a law enforcement officer. The grand jury was convened by State Attorney Bill Gladson’s office, which is considering seeking the death penalty in this case. Sulpizio was taken into custody on August 5th at a hospital in Tavares, Florida, where she was being treated after the crime occurred on August 2nd.
The shooting that took the life of Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link and injured Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano was described as an “ambush” by Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell. Deputies responded to a disturbance at a home before being directed to another nearby home where they were met with gunfire upon entry. Link was shot and later succumbed to his injuries. The events surrounding the shooting were detailed by Sheriff Grinnell, who explained that Sulpizio was reportedly acting religious, accusing people of being sinners and claiming to be under God’s will.
Sulpizio made alarming statements during the incident, accusing the residents of being involved in pedophilia and claiming she needed to trick Lucifer. She also expressed that “Julie is in heaven” and referenced harming her neighbors with the help of her husband. Deputies discovered two dead dogs and signs of forced entry at Sulpizio’s home when they went to conduct a welfare check. Inside, they encountered Sulpizio’s husband, Michael, who ambushed Master Deputy Sheriff Link, fatally shooting him. The couple’s daughters were also present and made disturbing statements before being found dead from gunshot wounds to their heads.
A search of Sulpizio’s home uncovered a stockpile of guns, ammunition, and bottled water, along with anti-government propaganda and conspiracy theory-related media. Sheriff Grinnell noted that Sulpizio had shown no remorse and was under observation in the hospital prior to her arrest. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are considering seeking the death penalty in this case. The tragic events have left the law enforcement community in mourning for the loss of Master Deputy Sheriff Link and the injuries suffered by his colleagues in the line of duty.
