Florida Mom Accused of Killing Police Officer in Ambush Was Allegedly Targeting Her Neighbors: Police

Florida Mom Accused of Killing Police Officer in Ambush Was Allegedly Targeting Her Neighbors: Police https://ift.tt/38FJnEp

Police allege Julie Sulpizio accused her neighbors of pedophilia and espoused religious conspiracy theories

Julie Sulpizio, left, and Bradley Michael Link' title='Julie Sulpizio mugshot; Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link'>

Lake County Sheriff's Office (2)

Julie Sulpizio, left, and Bradley Michael Link

A Florida woman who authorities claim was motivated by conspiracy theories was arrested after the death of a sheriff deputy, which took place in what authorities allege was an "ambush" orchestrated by the woman's family that injured two other deputies. 

Julie Sulpizio is facing charges of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder after officials say Lake County Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link was fatally shot at a home in Eustis, Fla., on Friday, Aug. 2.

Injured in the shooting were deputies Stefano Gargano and Harold Howell, Lake County authorities said during a press conference streamed on Facebook.

Sheriff Peyton Grinnell spoke at the press conference and gave a recounting of the events that led up to the shooting. 

Police received a 911 call reporting that a woman, identified as Sulpizio, was trespassing on the caller’s property and allegedly becoming violent. 

"The complainant stated she was acting religious, accusing them of being sinners, and [saying that] she knows 'what they did,'" Grinnell said. "They identified Julie Sulpizio as their neighbor. But Julie states that she is 'Helen, under God's will.'"

In an exchange with a responding deputy, Sulpizio allegedly accused her neighbors of being pedophiles, according to Grinnell, and again claimed to be “Helen” and that “Julie is in heaven.”

Before deputies arrived, Sulpizio allegedly wanted her neighbors to walk in front of her into her house, Grinnell said, adding that the neighbors didn’t trust her. Sulpizio also allegedly told the neighbors that her husband, Michael Sulpizio, was “her God.”

After arresting Sulpizio and backup was called, Grinnell said deputies walked over to search her home to perform a welfare check on her husband and children. Two dead dogs were allegedly discovered in the house, according to Grinnell.

Link and Howell attempted to enter the home through the back door, after deputies unsuccessfully tried to make contact with the residents inside the home, Grinnell says.

Grinnell alleged that Michael Sulpizio is believed to have fired several shots, hitting Link in the back and striking Howell in the wrist. Howell and other deputies retreated out of the home, but Link was unable to move out of the home before he was shot more times, Grinnell alleged.

More deputies were then called to the scene, as responders attempted to negotiate with the home’s occupants.

"My king will kill all of you.,” Julie allegedly said during this stage, according to Grinnell.

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Gargano, who was part of a tactical team, was struck with multiple bullets through a wall. Grinnell said he is stable, while Howell is expected to make a full recovery.

Michael Sulpizio, and two daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne Sulpizio all died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to Grinnell.

It is not immediately clear if Julie Sulpizio has entered a plea or retained an attorney. 

A GoFundMe started to raise money for Link’s wife has raised over $140,000.

Grinnell called the officers who responded to the scene “heroes.”

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