Much more and video here
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.
www.fox13news.com
Sheriff Grinnell detailed the incident, starting with a 911 call received just before 8 p.m. on Friday. The caller reported a woman, later identified as Sulpizio, assaulting people and trespassing on their property on Brookside Drive. Sulpizio allegedly struck residents while making religious accusations and proclamations, the sheriff explained.
"The complainant stated she [Sulpizio] was acting religious, accusing them of being sinners, and she knows 'what they did,'" the sheriff explained. "They identified Julie Sulpizio as their neighbor, but Julie states that she is 'Helen, under God's will.'"
Sheriff Grinnell said a deputy arrived at the scene and encountered Sulpizio with her hands concealed behind her back. Despite being ordered to back up, she approached the deputy, prompting him to draw his Taser. Sulpizio walked toward the deputy, which prompted a warning from the deputy.
"During a calm verbal exchange, Julie Sulpizio states that they, meaning the group of people that were present there, were involved in pedophilia," Sheriff Grinnell said. "She again claims to be 'Helen,' and she asked one of the victims that she had battered, 'Who was your God?'"
The sheriff said Sulpizio told the group, "Julie is in heaven."
"She then went on to state, 'You see, the thing is, we needed to trick Lucy,' and we later learned [Lucy] to be a name she calls Lucifer." The sheriff said Sulpizio then pointed to the deputy and said, "You are one of them."
Deputies called for backup after discovering 2 dead dogs
As deputies attempted to arrest Sulpizio, they decided to conduct a welfare check at her home down the street. Upon arrival, they discovered two dead dogs outside the house and an open window with the screen kicked out, Sheriff Grinnell said. Finding this suspicious, they called for backup.
Deputies Link and Howell entered the home through the back entrance, moving through the living room and hallway. Deputy Link went to the left, and Deputy Howell went to the right. According to the sheriff, Deputy Link, with his back turned, was ambushed by Sulpizio's husband, Michael, who was armed and ready, according to the sheriff.
Deputy Link was shot in the back and, despite trying to crawl out, was shot several more times after running out of bullets, the sheriff explained. This was captured on his body camera, providing both audio and video evidence.
"His body-worn camera continuously recorded audio and video from within the residence, facing upward," the sheriff said. ...
"Master Deputy Link, 28, first became part of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as a young Explorer. A graduate of Lake Minneola High School in 2015, he served in the Army Reserves prior to being hired as a deputy sheriff by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 2017. In October 2019, Master Deputy Link joined our agency as a deputy sheriff, where he quickly became part of our family and faithfully served our citizens with courage and zeal. Brad, as our Sheriff’s Office family knew him, touched the lives of all who were blessed enough to work with him; his contributions and the impact of this loss will not soon be forgotten."
nypost.com
