EUSTIS, Fla. – The murder suspect involved in the deadly Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy ambush Friday night was detained using the fallen deputy’s handcuffs, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday.
The attack in Lake County resulted in the death of Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, 28, whose handcuffs were used to arrest Julie Jefferson Sulpizio, who faces charges of premediated first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer.
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Sulpizio additionally faces seven counts of attempted murder and four counts of battery. She was arrested Monday afternoon at AdventHealth Waterman Hospital in Tavares, and she is being held without bond.
Sulpizio made her first court appearance Tuesday morning.
The ambush shooting happened on Aug. 20 after the sheriff’s office received a 911 call, in which the person asked for deputies to respond to a home along Brookside Drive, deputies said. Deputies were met inside the home with heavy gunfire, according to investigators.
Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said the shooters were the Sulpizio’s husband and two daughters – Michael Sulpizio, 48; Cheyenne, 23; and Savannah, 22. Officials reported that all three appeared to have fatally shot themselves at the scene.
Investigators revealed on Monday that they reached out to federal agencies to help find out more about the family and to identify a motive.
Two other deputies were injured in the attack, including Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28, and Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41. Officials said that both deputies are expected to recover.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Master Deputy Link’s wife and family to help with funeral expenses. Those interested in donating can access the fund here.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service for Link will be held on Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. at Real Life Christian Church. The service will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person.
“We all share the common goal of honoring Deputy Link’s service to his community, his sacrifice, and his memory,” the sheriff’s office said Tuesday in a Facebook post.
Family members also started a GoFundMe to help with Deputy First Class Gargano’s medical expenses, which can be found here. One has established to help support Master Deputy Howell and his family as well and can be found here.
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