A deputy sheriff in Florida was fatally shot, and two others were injured in an ambush on Friday night, officials report.
Lake County Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell held a news conference early Saturday where he stated that deputies responded to a disturbance at a residence on Brookside Drive in Eustis around 8 p.m., as per FOX 35.
“They were ambushed,” Grinnell remarked. “We lost one tonight.”
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Upon arrival, deputies heard a commotion from inside the house and entered the premises.
The first deputy on the scene, Master Deputy Bradley Link, was shot and became trapped inside the home. He later died from his injuries, according to the sheriff.
Master Deputy Bradley Link, 28, was killed in the line of duty Friday night during what Lake County Sheriff termed an ‘ambush.’ (Lake County Sheriff’s Office via X)
Link, a 28-year-old veteran of the Army Reserves, is survived by his wife, Brittany.
Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28, was shot in both the armpit and stomach. A statement noted that “Deputy Gargano was shot multiple times. He underwent surgery overnight and is scheduled for a second surgery this afternoon. His condition remains critical.”
Additionally, Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41, was shot in the shoulder and is currently stable. Howell has been with Lake County since 2005. Both wounded deputies sustained injuries while attempting to rescue Link.
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The injured deputies are receiving medical care at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, as informed by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano and Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell were injured while trying to perform a rescue during Friday night’s “ambush” and are currently in critical condition. (Lake County Sheriff’s Office via X)
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office shared a statement on Facebook saying, “Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link died in the line of duty overnight, heroically serving his community and fellow deputies after responding to a disturbance call in rural Eustis, during which two other deputies were also shot.”
“Brad, as he was known by our Sheriff’s Office family, made a significant impact on all who had the privilege of working with him; his legacy and the effects of this loss will be long remembered,” the statement concluded.
Two individuals inside the residence were found deceased, though it remains unclear if they were killed by the deputies or as a result of a murder-suicide, according to Grinnell. Another individual was taken to the hospital.
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No suspects have been apprehended at this time, reported the sheriff’s office.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the incident.
