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FBI identifies 2 agents killed in Florida while serving warrant in 'violent crimes against children case'

N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY 1 hr ago

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Two FBI agents were killed and three were wounded in a shooting early Tuesday while agents were serving a warrant in a child exploitation case in Florida, according to the FBI. The suspect also died during the standoff, according to the bureau.

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Two FBI agents killed, three wounded while serving a warrant in Florida

At 6:04 a.m., FBI and officers from multiple agencies were serving a warrant at the Water Terrace apartment complex in Sunrise, Florida, when the suspect inside started shooting, according to Otishia Browning-Smith, a spokeswoman for the Sunrise Police Department. The suspect, who was not identified, then barricaded himself inside the residence.

"A team of law enforcement officers were there to execute a federal court-ordered search warrant in furtherance of a violent crimes against children case," the FBI said.

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FBI Director Christopher Wray Tuesday identified the two deceased agents as Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger.

The director said two of the three wounded are in stable condition at a Florida hospital. The third agent did not require hospitalization.

“Every day, FBI special agents put themselves in harm’s way to keep the American people safe,” Wray said. “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…”

The FBI's Inspection Division is investigating the incident per bureau policy, according to a statement from the FBI.

"The review process is thorough and objective and is conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances," the FBI said.

Asked how many rounds were fired, Browning-Smith said "there were too many to count."

Julius McLymont, whose house borders the apartment complex, told the Associated Press the gunfire erupted with about four shots around 6 a.m.

He thought it was a car backfiring but about two minutes later he heard another volley of about five shots. He went outside and looked over his fence as police cars and ambulances rushed in. Then he saw officers working on someone lying on the ground, who was then loaded into an ambulance.

A SWAT team appeared next, with officers donning riot gear. Then they went around the building, yelling “go, go, go.”

McLymont said he couldn’t see the apartment where the shooting happened from his location.

Video from the scene shows several law enforcement agencies swarming the South Florida neighborhood, just 11 miles outside of Fort Lauderdale.

The Sunrise Police Department announced several roads were closed because of the heavy police presence on Twitter. Hours later, the department said the scene was safe but urged residents to stay inside due to the "ongoing investigation."

Another large group of officers gathered outside a hospital in Fort Lauderdale where victims were taken, video shows.

Browning-Smith said four to six Sunrise officers were working as a back-up unit during the early-morning operation, but none of them were injured. She did not identify the deceased suspect, but said the department had no prior dealings with suspect nor was she aware of any prior concern that the suspect was armed.

Warrant operations have proved especially dangerous for the FBI agents.

In December, an FBI agent was wounded while serving a warrant near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Derick Pacheco-Garcia, 32, was later charged with assault on a federal officer, and as a felon in possession of a firearm. In 2008, FBI special agent Sam Hicks was fatally shot while serving a warrant near Pittsburgh, Pa., as part of an investigation into violent drug trafficking group.

Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson was briefed on the shooting and was closely monitoring the situation on Tuesday, a Justice Department spokesperson said.

The loss of the two agents Tuesday morning marked the deadliest day for the bureau since 2013 when two agents died during training exercises for the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team.

The FBI Agents Association called the deaths “devastating to the entire FBI community and to our country.”

"These Agents were working to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” association President Brian O’Hare said Tuesday. “FBIAA stands with the Agents’ families and pledges our support to them during this difficult time.”

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Contributing: The Associated Press

Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg