Two FBI Agents Killed, Three Injured While Serving Search Warrant
A shootout early Tuesday morning in Sunrise, Florida, has resulted in the death of two FBI agents and the injury of three others. The fatal shootout happened after FBI agents along with other members of law enforcement executed a federal court-ordered search warrant. The subject of the search warrant was also killed during the shootout.
The Miami FBI field office shared a press release which read in part, “The FBI is reviewing an agent-involved shooting which occurred this morning at approximately 6 a.m. in the vicinity of 10100 Reflections Boulevard, Sunrise, Florida.” In the press release, the FBI identifies that the federal court-ordered search had to deal with violent crimes against children.
The two deceased agents were identified later in the day as Special Agent Daniel Alfin and Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger. Agent Schwartzenberger was 43 and had been with the FBI since 2005. Schwartzenberger left behind two children. Agent Alfin was 36 and was the father of one. He had worked with the FBI since 2009. Of the three agents injured, two were taken to the hospital where they were later reported to be in stable condition. The third injured agent was not hospitalized.
The FBI Director, Christopher Wray, shared a statement honoring the two fallen agents. His statement reads in part, “Every day, FBI special agents put themselves in harm’s way to keep the American people safe. Special Agent Alfin and Special Agent Schwartzenberger exemplified heroism today in defense of their country. The FBI will always honor their ultimate sacrifice and will be forever grateful for their bravery. We continue to stand by our FBI Family, and the families of these special agents, in the days to come, bringing every resource we can to get through this together.”
Details of Shooting Continue to Emerge
The fatal shootout happened in an upscale gated apartment complex in Sunrise, an area that is just outside of Fort Lauderdale. It was in one of the apartments that the suspect barricaded himself before a hail of gunfire broke out. After the shootout, the police presence in the area was heavy and included several police agencies from the surrounding area. The high presence of police led to several road closures around the community.
The details of the warrant and shooting are still not yet clear; however, reports are indicating that agents were looking for evidence, including a computer, as part of a child pornography investigation. While the suspect's name has yet to be released to the public, the Sunrise Police Department has shared that there was no heightened concern when agents were serving the warrant because the suspect had not had previous dealings with the department, according to Otishia Browning-Smith, a spokeswoman for the SPD.
According to national news outlet USA Today, neighbors who lived in the complex heard gunshots ring out in the morning only to find a fleet of police officers, ambulances, and a SWAT team rush into the area shortly afterward. Witnesses reported hearing a substantial amount of gunfire.
This shooting which rocked not only the FBI but law enforcement agencies around the country comes as a reminder about the dangers that can occur while in the field. The shootout is considered to be one of the deadliest in the history of the Bureau. The last incident of an FBI agent losing his life while on duty happened in 2008 when Special Agent Sam Hicks was killed on the job during a similar incident. Special Agent Hicks was serving a search warrant near Pittsburg as part of an investigation into a violent drug trafficking group when he was shot and killed.
