A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and other felonies in connection with the deadly ambush shooting of three deputies in which one was killed.
A Florida woman is facing charges in connection with the ambush shooting of deputies in which one deputy was killed.
Julie Sulpizio, 48, has been charged with first-degree murder, premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, seven counts of attempted murder, felony battery/strangulation, two counts of battery and battery on a law enforcement officer in the shooting.
Florida Woman Charged in Deadly Shooting of Deputies
She could be eligible for the death penalty if she’s found guilty.
The charges stem from an incident on August 13, when deputies responded to a welfare check request at a home in Eustis, Florida.
Florida Woman Charged in Deadly Shooting of Deputies
When they arrived, they found the back door kicked in and heard a disturbance inside the home after seeing two dead dogs outside.
When they entered the home, deputies were met with gunfire by Sulpizio's husband, Michael, who was waiting inside with a rifle and wearing body armor.
Florida Woman Charged in Deadly Shooting of Deputies
Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28, and Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41, were both shot when they attempted to rescue Master Deputy Bradley Michael Link after he was shot and became trapped inside the home.
Link later died of his injuries at a hospital.
Florida Woman Charged in Deadly Shooting of Deputies
Gargano, who was shot in the stomach and armpit "numerous" times, was in critical condition after the shooting and immediately underwent surgery.
Howell was shot in the shoulder and was released early last month.
Florida Woman Charged in Deadly Shooting of Deputies
Gargano underwent at least five surgeries in the last month and is expected to make a full recovery, according to FOX 35.
Gargano is now at home with his family recovering.
Sulpizio and Michael’s two daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne, were also inside the home, and one was heard shouting, "My King will kill all of you! You are Lucifer's children!"
Link's body camera footage showed that Michael and his daughters discussed suicide before they were all found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads.
The sheriff said deputies during a search of the home found a stockpile of guns, ammunition and bottled water, but no phones or televisions.
The sheriff said "anti-government propaganda" and material from conspiracy theory-related media was also discovered.
The sheriff's office said that Sulpizio had been making religious comments and accusing people of being sinners.
She was allegedly attempting to lure neighbors to her home so her husband could kill them.
Deputies were called to the home after a caller said a woman was attacking people and trespassing on their property.
The deputies found the back door kicked in and heard a disturbance inside the home after seeing two dead dogs outside.
When they entered the home, deputies were met with gunfire by Sulpizio's husband, Michael, who was waiting inside with a rifle and wearing body armor.
Link was shot and became trapped inside the home and later succumbed to his injuries.
Sulpizio and Michael’s two daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne, were also inside the home, and one was heard shouting, "My King will kill all of you! You are Lucifer's children!"
Michael and his daughters were later found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads.
