A Florida woman has been arrested on several charges, including first-degree murder, after a Lake County deputy was shot and killed and two others were hurt during an “ambush” at a home near Eustis, officials announced Monday.
Julie Ann Sulpizio, 48, is charged with 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, according to officials.
Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said Sulpizio was taken into custody on Monday afternoon at AdventHealth Waterman Hospital in Tavares, where she had been since Friday night for treatment and evaluation. She remains in custody without bond.
The Lake County deputy who was tragically killed in what has been described as an “ambush” by Sheriff Grinnell was identified over the weekend as Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, 28. The two others who were injured have been identified as Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41, and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28.
“Our sheriff’s office family is hurting, and all of you are helping us through this horrific nightmare,” Grinnell said during a news conference on Monday.
According to Sheriff Grinnell, deputies initially responded to a 911 call about a disturbance at a home on Brookside Drive. However, during that call, those deputies were directed to another home not far away.
New details released in Lake County ambush shooting: Officials give moment-by-moment account in nearly 40-minute press conference
Deputies found the back door kicked in and heard a disturbance inside the residence. Upon entering the home, deputies were met with “a hail of gunfire,” the sheriff said. Deputy Link was struck and trapped inside the home and later died.
Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, was also present at Monday’s news conference and said this case is eligible for the death penalty.
Authorities continue to review all the evidence in the case, including video captured by Deputy Link’s body-worn camera, which helped investigators piece together a timeline of the incident.
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Source: Fox35Orlando
