Woman Charged with Murder of Florida Deputy Claims to Work for God

A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy who was killed Friday in an ambush at a home near Eustis. Two other deputies were wounded in the incident.

Julie Sulpizio, 48, reportedly said she was acting ‘under God’s will,' Fox 35 reports.

Julie Ann Sulpizio, 48, is charged with first-degree 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> Her husband reportedly killed a Lake County Sheriff's Deputy and then committed suicide with their daughters.

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Lake County Jail

Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said the incident started with a 911 call around 8 p.m. Friday about a woman assaulting people while making religious accusations and proclamations.

As deputies attempted to arrest Sulpizio, they decided to conduct a welfare check at her home down the street. Upon arrival, they discovered two dead dogs outside the house and an open window with the screen kicked out, Sheriff Grinnell said. They called for backup.

Master Deputy Bradley Michael Link and Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell entered the home through the back entrance, moving through the living room and hallway. According to the sheriff, Deputy Link was shot in the back by Sulpizio's husband, Michael, who was armed and ready, according to the sheriff.

Deputy Link, despite trying to crawl out, was shot several more times, the sheriff explained. 

Michael and their two adopted daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne, were inside the home, with one daughter shouting, "My King will kill all of you! You are Lucifer's children!"

The SWAT team arrived, and Deputy Gargano, who also entered the laundry room, was shot. His team managed to pull him out of the home.

Video from Deputy Link’s body camera revealed that Michael and his daughters apparently killed themselves.

Sheriff Grinnell said Sulpizio appeared to show no remorse and was described as "joyful." She was arrested using Deputy Link's handcuffs.