Florida woman charged in ambush killing of sheriff’s deputy

Authorities have arrested a Florida woman in connection with an ambush attack that resulted in the death of one sheriff’s deputy and injured two others earlier this month.

Julie Ann Sulpizio, 48, faced indictment on Monday on multiple charges, including three counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit premeditated murder in the first degree, battery on a law enforcement officer, and three counts of battery on others.

Reports from Orlando indicated that a grand jury convened by State Attorney Bill Gladson’s office of the Fifth Judicial Court issued the indictment.

Gladson has suggested the case might warrant the death penalty, although a final decision is pending. His office has a 45-day period to evaluate the evidence and determine whether to pursue this option.

The Florida woman was apprehended on 5 August at a hospital in Tavares, Florida, following treatment she received on 2 August, the day the crime occurred.

The shooting claimed the life of Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, 28, described by Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell as an “ambush.” Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41, and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28, sustained injuries in the incident.

Deputies had initially responded to a disturbance report at a home around 8 p.m. They were then directed to another residence near Eustis. Upon arrival, they found the back door forced open and heard a disturbance inside. Entering the home, the deputies were met with gunfire. Link was shot, trapped inside, and later died from his injuries.

Sheriff Grinnell detailed the events of the night, explaining that the caller reported a woman, later identified as Sulpizio, was attacking people and trespassing. Sulpizio allegedly assaulted residents and made religious accusations, calling them sinners.

“The complainant indicated [Sulpizio] was acting religious, accusing them of being sinners, and she knows ‘what they did,’” the sheriff noted. “They identified Julie Sulpizio as their neighbour, but Julie claimed to be ‘Helen, under God’s will.'”

During a calm verbal exchange, Sulpizio accused the group of pedophilia, again asserting she was ‘Helen.’ She questioned one of her victims about their faith, saying, “Who was your God?”

In a subsequent interview with investigators, the Florida woman admitted she aimed to lure her neighbours to her home so her husband could kill them, according to Grinnell.

“She failed due to our deputies,” he said.

Sulpizio informed the people present that “Julie is in heaven.”

“She then mentioned, ‘We needed to trick Lucy,’ referring to Lucifer,” the sheriff added. She pointed at the deputy and stated, “You are one of them.”

When deputies tried to arrest Sulpizio and conducted a welfare check at her nearby home, they discovered two dead dogs outside and an open window with the screen removed. Deputies called for backup.

Link and Howell entered through the back entrance of the house, proceeding through the living room and hallway. Link was ambushed by Sulpizio’s husband, Michael, who was armed. Link was shot in the back and several more times while attempting to crawl away after running out of ammunition.

The couple’s daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne, were also inside, with one shouting, “My King will kill all of you! You are Lucifer’s children!”

Link’s body camera footage captured Michael and his daughters discussing suicide before they were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads, the sheriff reported.

During the home search, deputies found a cache of guns, ammunition, bottled water, but no phones or televisions. Anti-government propaganda and conspiracy theory-related materials were also discovered.

Sulpizio appeared to show no remorse and had been under hospital observation days before her arrest, the sheriff said.