LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A central Florida deputy was killed, and two others were injured in an ambush Friday night after responding to a disturbance call, Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell reported.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. in Eustis, approximately 40 miles north of Orlando.
“We initially responded to a disturbance at one residence but were then directed to another house where the real issue was happening,” Grinnell explained during a Saturday morning news conference.
Upon arrival at the second location, deputies found the back door kicked in and heard commotion inside. “They were immediately met with heavy gunfire,” Grinnell said. The first deputy to enter was injured and trapped inside, while another deputy managed to escape. Additional law enforcement arrived and attempted to rescue the trapped deputy, only to face more gunfire, resulting in another deputy being hit.
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Two deputies were injured in the shootout, and the trapped deputy later succumbed to his injuries. The fallen deputy has been identified as 28-year-old Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link.
“Deputy Link wasn’t even on duty; he responded to the call to assist,” said Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. John Herrell, who became emotional while speaking about Link during the press conference. Link joined the sheriff’s office in 2019 and was described as a dedicated and impactful member of the team. “Brad touched the lives of all who worked with him, and his loss will be deeply felt,” the sheriff’s office stated.
All three suspects involved in the shooting were also found dead. Their gunshot wounds appeared to be self-inflicted, according to the sheriff’s office. Herrell mentioned that at least seven deputies had returned fire during the incident, but there was no indication that the deputies’ gunfire hit the suspects.
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The house where the ambush took place was described as a “bunker-style dwelling” stocked with firearms, ammunition, canned goods, and non-perishable food items. Herrell noted there was substantial anti-government literature found in the home.
While an animal enforcement unit had visited the home in the past, there were no records of violent crime associated with it.
This tragic event marks the first death of a deputy in the Lake County community since February 2005. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the incident.
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