Woman accused in deadly 'ambush' shooting of Lake County deputy denied bond, plans to hire private attorney

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida woman accused in an "ambush" shooting that left a Lake County deputy dead and two other deputies injured at a home near Eustis appeared virtually before a judge on a Zoom call wearing an anti-suicide smock Tuesday morning.

It was the first time the public had seen Julie Ann Sulpizio since her arrest Monday on charges of 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.

She mainly remained silent at the hearing, only answering yes or no to the judge's questions. 

The judge reviewed all the charges against Sulpizio and assigned a public defender for the first appearance, though Sulpizio indicated her intentions to hire a private attorney in the future. 

A public defender's office representative momentarily interrupted the hearing to counsel Sulpizio against speaking with anyone other than her attorney.

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"Just because you're in custody, don't forget where you are, and anything you say can be used against you there," she said. "Your phone calls are being monitored."

The judge approved the state’s pre-trial detention motion, citing public safety concerns. Sulpizio will be held without bond on the murder and attempted murder charges, pending a pretrial hearing scheduled within the next five days.

The judge also ordered Sulpizio to have no contact with any of the victims connected to the case. 

Julie Sulpizio was charged with first degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, 7 counts of attempted murder, felony battery/strangulation, 2 counts of battery, and battery on a law enforcement officer. (Photo: Lake County Jail) 

Sulpizio's next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3 at 8:30 a.m. 

Sulpizio is accused of being the ringleader in the August 2 plot that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link and injured 41-year-old Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell and 28-year-old Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano.

At a news conference Monday, Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said deputies initially responded to a 911 call about a disturbance at a home on Brookside Drive. 

The caller reported a woman, later identified as Sulpizio, assaulting people and trespassing on their property on Brookside Drive. Sulpizio allegedly struck residents while making religious accusations and proclamations, the sheriff explained.

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As deputies attempted to arrest Sulpizio, they decided to conduct a welfare check at her home down the street. 

Deputies found the back door kicked in and heard a disturbance inside the residence.

Upon entering the home, deputies were met with "a hail of gunfire," the sheriff said. 

Inside the home were Julie's husband, Michael Sulpizio, 49, and their daughters, Savannah Sulpizio, 23, and Cheyenne Sulpizio, 22 – the suspects responsible for shooting at deputies, officials said.

They were later located dead inside the home with self-inflicted gunshot wounds.  

Julie allegedly told detectives that she was trying to lure the neighbors to her residence so that Michael could kill them but was unsuccessful because of the law enforcement response. 

Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, who was also present at Monday's news conference, said this case is eligible for the death penalty. 

Authorities continue to review all the evidence in the case, including video captured by Deputy Link's body-worn camera, which helped investigators organize a timeline of the incident.  

Sulpizio reportedly had no prior criminal history in Florida.