A Florida lady was arrested Monday in connection to the demise of a Lake County sheriff’s deputy whom members of the girl’s household allegedly killed throughout a standoff of their house, the place they’d stockpiled quite a lot of weapons and “anti-government propaganda,” authorities introduced.
Julie Sulpizio, 48, is charged with 12 offenses, together with homicide of a regulation enforcement officer and tried homicide, after her household turned concerned in an intense standoff with authorities that resulted within the demise of Deputy Bradley Michael Hyperlink, 28, and the harm of two different deputies, officers mentioned.
Sulpizio was already in custody by the point deputies entered the house the place the capturing came about. Nonetheless, authorities say the incident started when she tried to lure her neighbors into her home so her husband may kill them. Sulpizio allegedly later mentioned that her husband acted below her command.
On Friday morning, deputies responded to a name about Sulpizio allegedly trespassing and assaulting folks in entrance of her neighbors’ house in Eustis, Florida, Sheriff Peyton Grinnell advised reporters Monday.
Grinnell mentioned Sulpizio started placing her neighbors and calling them “sinners.”
A deputy arrived on the house and was approached by Sulpizio. Throughout a peaceful verbal trade, in line with Grinnell, Sulpizio accused the neighboring household of being “concerned in pedophilia,” and requested one of many victims, “Who’s your God?”
Sulpizio made additional spiritual references earlier than making an attempt to persuade the household to method her home as she adopted behind, in line with Grinnell. She then walked towards the deputy, who pulled out his stun gun and gave her a warning.
The deputy introduced Sulpizio to the bottom and handcuffed her as she resisted, Grinnell mentioned.
One other deputy who responded to the scene then carried out a welfare verify on Sulpizio’s house, the place she lived together with her husband, Michael Sulpizio, 48, and their daughters Cheyenne, 23, and Savannah, 22.
The deputy noticed three folks working inside the home, in line with Grinnell. Deputies then noticed two lifeless canine on the entrance garden, and known as for backup after seeing a damaged window on the facet of the home.
Extra deputies arrived and recognized themselves to make contact with the folks inside the home, Grinnell mentioned, and authorities then discovered that Michael Sulpizio had beforehand threatened to shoot the neighbors’ youngsters.
Deputies tried to enter the house via the again door whereas saying their entry, in line with Grinnell. Footage taken from Hyperlink’s physique digicam confirmed Michael Sulpizio on the sofa with a rifle, the place Grinnell mentioned he had been ready for the deputies.
The deputies inside the home have been then met with gunfire, and Hyperlink was struck a number of occasions, as was Deputy Harold Howell, 41, Grinnell mentioned. Hyperlink was immobilized by his wounds and trapped inside the home, with no extra rounds in his gun, however Howell and the opposite deputies have been capable of get out.
Detectives exterior the home then tried to barter with the Sulpizios inside, however they have been unsuccessful, Grinnell mentioned.
As Hyperlink lay injured, his physique digicam was nonetheless recording. On the tape, Grinnell mentioned, a girl’s voice could be heard yelling “My king will kill all of you” and “You might be Lucifer’s youngsters” in response to deputies exterior calling for Hyperlink to crawl out to them.
Deputy Stefano Gargano, 28, led an extraction crew to get Hyperlink out of the house. Gargano was shot a number of occasions with high-caliber rounds via the partitions, Grinnell mentioned, after which needed to be extracted himself.
A SWAT crew then entered the house, the place they discovered the 2 daughters lifeless on the sofa with self-inflicted gunshot wounds, Grinnell mentioned. Michael Sulpizio was additionally found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Grinnell mentioned, and he later died at a hospital.
Hyperlink’s physique digicam recorded a girl speaking about suicide because the SWAT crew was stepping into place, Grinnell mentioned. Hyperlink was lastly rescued after the SWAT crew entered, however he died of his wounds at a hospital.
Gargano was in essential situation when he was taken to the hospital, however after three surgical procedures, his situation was secure as of Wednesday. Howell is predicted to make a full restoration.
Detectives who searched the residence discovered a complete of 20 firearms, together with high-caliber rifles, pistols, shotguns and stockpiled ammunition in the lounge space, Grinnell mentioned. Further ammunition, gasoline masks, physique armor, camouflage fits, medical baggage and different survival necessities have been additionally discovered within the house.
Grinnell mentioned detectives additionally discovered “anti-government propaganda” and “conspiracy-theory associated media.” Lake County Lt. John Harrell later clarified that detectives discovered “bumper stickers, stickers, [and] handouts,” in addition to “flyers” for the right-wing conspiracy platform Infowars and for numerous podcasts.
Throughout her interview with detectives, Julie Sulpizio mentioned she had been making an attempt to lure her neighbors to her home so her husband may kill them, in line with Grinnell. She allegedly claimed each to be God and that God spoke via her. She additionally allegedly asserted that her husband was the angel Michael and that he obeyed her command. She was taken to a hospital following the standoff and arrested on Monday following her discharge.
State Legal professional Invoice Gladson mentioned Monday that officers have been nonetheless reviewing proof within the case. On-line court docket information on Tuesday confirmed that Julie Sulpizio had been charged with homicide of a regulation enforcement officer, tried homicide, battery by strangulation, battery by contact or placing, and battery on a regulation enforcement officer.
If convicted, Sulpizio would eligible for the demise penalty, Gladson mentioned. It’s unclear if she has an lawyer representing her. She is scheduled to look in court docket on Sept. 3.
If you happen to or somebody wants assist, name or textual content 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for psychological well being help. Moreover, yow will discover native psychological well being and disaster assets at dontcallthepolice.com. Outdoors of the U.S., please go to the Worldwide Affiliation for Suicide Prevention.