Florida woman 'who worked for God' charged with murder after 'GTA-style ambush' on cops leaves one dead

A Florida woman has been arrested following an alleged "ambush" attack on police that left one deputy dead and two others wounded.

Julie Ann Sulpizio is accused of killing Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, 28, on Friday night. Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41, and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28, were left injured.

The officers were called to a home near Eustis at around 8pm where they found the back door had been booted in, and a racket coming from inside. The deputies went in but came under fire straight away , according to FOX.

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Link was shot and later dies from his injuries after getting trapped inside the house . Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell explained the events that unfolded during the shootout.

The person who phoned 911 reported that Sulpizio had trespassed property and was attacking people . It's alleged that the 48-year-old struck residents while making religious remarks , including accusing them of being sinners.

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

"During a calm verbal exchange, Julie Sulpizio states that they, meaning the group of people that were present there, were involved in paedophilia ," Grinnell added. "She again claims to be 'Helen,' and she asked one of the victims that she had battered, 'Who was your God? '".

Grinnell said Sulpizio was trying to entice these neighbours to her home so her husband could kill them, adding: "She was not successful because of our deputies."

Grinnell said Sulpizio told the people there that "Julie is in heaven." She then went on to state: "'You see, the thing is, we needed to trick Lucy,'" Police later learned Lucy was a name Sulpizio called Lucifer, meaning the devil.

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Sulpizio then pointed to the deputy and said, "You are one of them." Deputies who tried to arrest Sulpizio also conducting a welfare check at her home . It was there that they found two dead dogs outside the property and an open window with a kicked-out screen. This prompted them to call for additional support.

Deputies Link and Howell entered the residence through the back and proceeded past the living room into the hallway. It was then that Deputy Link, caught off-guard with his back turned , was confronted by Sulpizio's husband, Michael, who was stated by the sheriff to be armed and lying in wait.

After being shot in the back, Link suffered several more shots while trying to escape , having run out of bullets. Sulpizio's daughters Savannah and Cheyenne were in the house during the incident.

One daughter was heard shouting: "My King will kill all of you! You are Lucifer's children!" Michael and his daughters were found dead, each with a gunshot wound to the head , soon after.

Harrowing body camera footage from Deputy Link revealed conversations about suicide between Michael and his daughters beforehand. A search of the residence uncovered firearms, ammunition, "anti-government propaganda" and media material peddling conspiracy theories .

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Sulpizio showed a chilling lack of remorse and had been under observation in hospital a few days prior to her detention, Sheriff Grinnell reported. Sulpizio was arrested on Monday afternoon at a hospital in Tavares, Florida .

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She ended up after needing treatment on Friday. Sulpizio is facing charges including first-degree premeditated murder of an officer , attempted murder, and felony battery/strangulation. She is being held without bail.

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