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Florida seeks death penalty against woman charged in 'ambush' shooting of Lake County deputies

Timeline of the fatal deputy ambush in Lake County

On Friday, August 2, officers in Lake County, Florida were ambushed by a family after responding to reports that a woman had attacked her neighbors in their yard. The woman, Julie Ann Sulpizio, now faces multiple murder charges after the incident left one deputy dead, two others injured and her husband and two daughters dead.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Prosecutors in Florida plan to seek the death penalty against Julie Sulpizio, the woman accused of a religiously supported, doomsday “ambush” that allegedly led to the shooting of a Lake County deputy and the wounding of two other people.

Prosecutors filed their decision with the Fifth Judicial District of the State of Florida on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office confirmed to FOX 35 Orlando.

In their filing, prosecutors said there are five aggravating factors that warrant consideration of the death penalty:

  • Julie Sulpizio was allegedly convicted of a felony or a prior felony involving the use or threat of violence.
  • Julia Sulpizio knowingly created a great risk of death for many people.
  • The capital crime was committed to disrupt or obstruct the lawful exercise of a government function or the enforcement of laws.
  • The capital crime was a homicide and was committed coldly, calculatedly and premeditatedly without any pretense of moral or legal justification.
  • The victim of the capital crime was a police officer who was carrying out his official duties.

Sulpizio was arrested and booked into jail on one count of first-degree murder in the death of Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Link, 28, and one count of attempted murder in the shooting of Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano.

Deputy Link was killed in the attack. Deputy Sheriff Howell and Deputy First Class Gargano were wounded. Both have now been released from the hospital and are recovering at home.

I remember Master Deputy Bradley Link

A memorial service was held for Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Link, who died in the line of duty in a fatal ambush shooting.

On August 2, Lake County officers responded to the homes of one of Sulpizio's neighbors after Sulpizio allegedly harassed and assaulted them. Sulpizio was eventually arrested and taken to prison.

However, officers were concerned about her husband and two adult children in their home. Master Deputy Link went into the house to conduct a welfare check and was immediately shot multiple times. The other officers who followed him to help were also hit by gunfire and had to retreat, officials said.

A rescue team attempted to rescue Deputy Link, who was still inside the home, but was hit by gunfire and gunfire.

Officials said Sulpizio's husband and two adult children were found dead inside the home of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Officials said stocks of weapons, ammunition, prepared meals and anti-government propaganda were also found at the house.

This is breaking news. We will continue to update.

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