LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – New court documents have been released that detail the evidence detectives compiled to arrest a woman for her alleged involvement in a deadly ambush of Lake County deputies in rural Eustis on Friday.
Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link was killed, Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano was critically injured and Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell was injured when the sheriff said they were shot by a family with a stockpile of weapons.
Julie Sulpizio, 48, is facing a list of charges including murder. Her husband, Michael Sulpizio, 48, and daughters Cheyenne, 23; and Savannah, 22, turned their guns on themselves following a shootout, according to law enforcement.
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An arrest affidavit for Sulpizio says the family worked together and the criminal act was “planned, rehearsed, and executed in part by Julie Sulpizio.”
Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office first encountered Sulpizio Friday night when they received a 911 call from a neighbor who stated she was in his yard “assaulting” his family. The caller told dispatch that Sulpizio was acting “religious” and accused them of being sinners.
According to the affidavit, Sulpizio wanted the neighbors to walk in front of her to her house, but they did not trust her.
Deputies took Sulpizio into custody for a mental health evaluation and instead directed law enforcement to the home under the guise of a well-being check.
Sheriff Peyton Grinnell says his deputies were ambushed at the house, and that during a post-Miranda interview, Julie Sulpizio claimed that she was God and that Michael Sulpizio is the Guardian Angel Michael which obeys her command.
“She states that she was trying to lure the neighbors to her residence so that Michael could kill them,” said Sheriff Grinnell. “She was not successful because of our deputies.”
The arrest affidavit for Julie Sulpizio also goes into more detail about what else she told investigators during her interview at Waterman Hospital two days after the ambush.
The documents say she disclosed that there was an additional human body under the family’s mobile home that Michael had “trapped” approximately one week ago.
News 6 asked the Lake County Sheriff’s Office about that claim. We were told their detectives followed up and found nothing.
Sulpizio also stated that she had shot her smaller dogs. Two of them were found dead in the yard. She reportedly told investigators that they were “vessels for ‘Lucy,’” a name investigators learned she uses for “Lucifer.”
A search warrant executed at the Sulpizio’s home on Brookside Drive led to a discovery of a stockpile of firearms.
“An excess of 20 firearms ranging from high caliber rifles, pistols, and shotguns appear to have been gathered and were placed and staged in the living room area. Ammunition had also been stockpiled in the living room,” Sheriff Grinnell said. “Masks, body armor, ghillie suits, medical bags, “bugout” bags, MRE’s and bottled water stockpiled.”
Sky 6 flew over the home Wednesday and saw investigators back at the scene, laying out the belongings on the lawn.
The sheriff’s office has said they also found anti-government propaganda within the residence. They are still working to learn more about the Sulpizio family and their motives.
The full arrest affidavit has been attached to this story and can be read in the media viewer below.
Lake County Deputy Attack Affidavit by Christie Zizo on Scribd
On Wednesday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced that Deputy Howell was released from the hospital and is resting and recovering at home.
A GoFundMe has been established to help support Howell and his family. It can be found here.
Deputy Gargano had his fourth surgery on Wednesday and the sheriff’s office is awaiting an update. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Gargano and his family and can be found here.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service for Master Deputy 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.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Link’s wife and family to help with funeral expenses. Those interested in donating can access the fund here.
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