A deputy in central Florida was killed, and two others were injured after being “ambushed” while responding to a disturbance on Friday night, according to Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell.
The incident occurred at a home in Eustis, roughly 40 miles north of Orlando, around 8 p.m. Grinnell revealed that deputies were initially responding to a disturbance call at one house. While on the scene, they were informed of another house where a problem was reportedly occurring.
Upon arrival at the second house, deputies found the back door forced open and encountered commotion inside. The officers were immediately met with heavy gunfire. The first deputy entering the house was injured and trapped, while another managed to escape.
Additional law enforcement arrived to rescue the trapped deputy, facing more gunfire, resulting in another being hit. Two deputies sustained gunshot injuries, and the trapped deputy later succumbed to his injuries.
The fallen officer has been identified as 28-year-old Master Sheriff Bradley Michael Link. At a press conference, Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. John Herrell became emotional, describing Link as a “good deputy” who wasn’t even supposed to be on duty but responded to assist.
Link joined the sheriff’s office in 2019 and was known for touching the lives of his colleagues. The sheriff’s office expressed that his contributions would not be forgotten.
As of Saturday afternoon, the two injured deputies remained hospitalised. Harold Howell, 41, was shot in the arm while entering the home alongside Link. Stefano Gargano, 28, part of the officer-rescue unit, was shot multiple times during the rescue operation and underwent surgery.
All three suspects involved in the shooting were killed, with preliminary findings suggesting their gunshot wounds were self-inflicted. Herrell mentioned that at least seven deputies returned fire, but there was no indication the suspects were hit by the deputies’ shots.
The residence where the shooting took place contained firearms, ammunition, and non-perishable food items, alongside literature indicating anti-government sentiments. Previous visits by an animal enforcement unit had not revealed any violent crime.
This marks the first deputy death in the community since February 2005. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.