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Unraveling disturbing details behind Sulpizio family
FOX 35 News is investigating the family at the center of a deadly ambush of the Lake County sheriff's deputies, uncovering new details that may help solve the puzzle behind their motives.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - Julie Ann Sulpizio, the Florida woman charged in the August 2024 shooting death of a Lake County Master Deputy and the shooting of two other deputies, has been found competent to continue her court cases, according to a court filing.
The March 24 court ruling stated that Sulpizio would need to be transferred back to the Lake County Sheriff's Office as she "is competent to proceed and no longer meets criteria for commitment to the Department."
According to online court records, Sulpizio has two competency review hearings scheduled for April 29 and May 29.
In June 2025, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and found to be unfit for trial, records show. This was the second time she had been found not competent to proceed.
The backstory:
In August 2024, Lake County deputies responded to a suspicious disturbance in a remote part of Lake County, where Sulpizio lived with her husband and two adult daughters.
Deputies went to Sulpizio's home and were "ambushed" and met with a "hail of gunfire."
Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot in the back multiple times, became trapped inside the home, and later died at the hospital. Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, who were also shot, survived.
Sulpizio's husband, Michael Sulpizio, and her two daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne, were found dead inside the home, officials said. All three had shot themselves.
Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty
Julie Sulpizio faces nine charges, including first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Deputy Link and two accounts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Deputies Howell and Gargano.
She also faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, battery on a law enforcement officer, and multiple counts of battery.
The State Attorney's announced in October 2024 that prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against Sulpizio, if convicted.
Inside the home: Stockpiles of guns, ammo, conspiracy theory propaganda
Inside the Sulpizio Family home was a "stockpile" of guns, ammunition, MRE survival foods, gas masks, anti-government propaganda, and conspiracy theory-aligned items, officials said in various court records.
According to investigators, Julie Sulpizio also went by the name "Helen," and believed that she spoke directly to God. She also believed that her husband was Saint Michael the Archangel and tasked with eliminating "sinners."
Remembering Bradley Link
Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Michael Link was remembered as a living angel, a loving husband, a "humble hero," a "dutiful" son, a brother, and a veteran at his funeral service on August 10, 2024.
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Wife of Deputy Link speaks at memorial service
Brittany Link, the wife of Deputy Bradley Link, spoke at his memorial service in Lake County on Saturday. She spoke of her husband's humility, respect, and love.
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Lake County Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell honors Deputy Link
Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell remembered Deputy Bradley Link during his memorial service. He also posthumously awarded Deputy Link with the Purple Heart Award.
The Source: The information is from a recent court filing with the Lake County Clerk of Court declaring Julie Sulpizio competent and ordering her transfer from a facility to Lake County Sheriff's Office custody. Previous reporting from FOX 35 reporters, Lake County Sheriff's Office, and court records.