Julie Sulpizio Deemed Incompetent ⁣in Lake‍ County Ambush Case

⁤ updated May 30, 2025

LAKE⁤ COUNTY, Fla. ⁢– Julie Sulpizio, the⁢ woman accused of orchestrating an‍ ambush that led to ‍the death‍ of a ​Lake⁤ county deputy and injuries ⁢to two others, has been declared mentally‍ incompetent to stand trial.A court order filed Wednesday ⁢mandates that Sulpizio be placed under the care of⁢ the Department of ⁤Children and Families (DCF).

The ‌order states that‍ Sulpizio suffers from schizophrenia ⁢and poses a significant danger ‌to herself or others. Her condition ‌also prevents her from ⁢adequately caring for ⁢herself. Consequently, she is deemed unable to participate in any legal⁣ proceedings, including the trial, sentencing, plea negotiations, or probation ⁣processes. The court found that⁢ no option ‍treatments could improve ⁣her condition.

The Lake County ambush occurred Aug.⁢ 2, 2024,‍ in Eustis. Master Deputy Bradley Link‌ was fatally shot while responding to a disturbance call. according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Sulpizio directed deputies to a Brookside Drive home where ⁣her ‌family members were armed.

After deputies handcuffed Sulpizio, they approached the‍ residence to check on her husband, Michael Sulpizio, and their two adult daughters, Cheyenne and Sylvana. Upon entering,⁤ the deputies were met with gunfire. Link ⁣was shot multiple times and became trapped. Michael Sulpizio and his daughters ⁢later ⁤died⁤ from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, authorities said.‌ Deputies Harold Howell and Stefano Gargano were also shot but survived.

Prosecutors had ⁤announced their intention to seek the death penalty against Sulpizio if she were convicted​ of first-degree murder in the‍ ambush. She initially pleaded not guilty to the ⁢charges, which​ include principal to ‌first-degree murder of a ​law enforcement officer and conspiracy to commit murder.

Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell recounted a chilling⁤ detail from the night of the ambush during​ Deputy Link’s memorial service.

One of ‍the assailants in the ‌home removed‍ Brad’s phone from ‌his person and answered⁣ that phone call. The assailant asked Brittany, ‘Who ​is ​this?’ Brittany stated, ‘I am Brad’s wife. who⁣ are⁣ you?’ To which the ⁣assailant ​responded, ‘So you say that you are​ supposedly the​ dead man’s wife?’ That will forever be the worst phone call ⁢of Brittany’s life.

Peyton Grinnell, Lake⁣ County Sheriff

Grinnell is​ now tasked with transporting Sulpizio to⁤ a DCF-designated treatment facility once a bed becomes available.

What’s next

Sulpizio will receive ⁣treatment at ⁣a DCF facility. The legal proceedings against her remain suspended until her competency is restored.