LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – As more details are revealed about the shooting that happened Friday night in the Eustis area that killed a Lake County sheriff’s deputy and left another two deputies injured, we are starting to learn more about the three men.
The shooting happened in the area of County Road 439, near Brookside Drive, north of State Road 44.
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According to Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell, the incident began around 8 p.m. when deputies — while responding to a call off Brookside Drive — were alerted to a problem at a home several doors down. Deputies went to that home and saw a door kicked in, Grinnell said.
“When the deputies entered the home there was a lot of gunfire,” Grinnell said. “One of the deputies was struck. The backup deputy that was there with him was able to retreat out of the home. The first deputy was trapped inside of the home.”
One of the deputies — identified Saturday as Bradley Michael Link, 28 — died from his injuries, Grinnell said.
Link is survived by his wife, Brittany, and his parents, Christi and Daniel.
Sheriff’s office officials said that Link became part of the department a young Explorer.
“A graduate of Lake Minneola High School, he served in the Army Reserves prior to being hired as a deputy sheriff by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 2017,” a social media post by the department said. “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.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for Master Deputy Link’s wife and family to help with funeral expenses that can be found here.
Another deputy, identified as 28-year-old Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano was shot in the abdomen area several times and under the arm. Sheriff’s office officials said Gargano underwent surgery overnight and had a second surgery on Saturday afternoon. A third surgery is scheduled for Monday, officials said. His condition was last listed as critical.
Family members started a GoFundMe to help with Gargano’s medical expenses. It can be found here.
The third deputy was struck in the shoulder and is stable. He was identified as 41-year-old Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell who was hired at the sheriff’s office in 2005. Howell has served as a K9 deputy since 2011, officials said.
A GoFundMe has been established to help support Howell and his family. It can be found here.
Reactions have been pouring in from leaders and law enforcement agencies throughout the state after the shooting.
“I am heartbroken over this terrible attack on these Florida heroes. We are offering our prayers and the full support of the Attorney General’s Office to Sheriff Grinnell, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the families of the heroes who were attacked,” Florida Attorney General wrote on social media.