2 FBI agents killed, 3 hurt in shooting while serving warrant in Florida: Officials
Two FBI agents were gunned down and three others were hurt from a shooting during a search warrant execution in Sunrise, Florida, Tuesday morning, the agency said.
Two of the wounded agents were hospitalized and are in stable condition, the FBI said. The third injured agent didn't need to be hospitalized, the FBI said.
The shooting took place around 6 a.m. in Sunrise, about 10 miles from Fort Lauderdale, while officers were trying to execute a search warrant for a "violent crimes against children case," the FBI said.
FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) President Brian O'Hare said the search was "to seize evidence in connection with suspected possession of child pornography."
The agents knocked to announce their presence but got no answer. As soon as they breached the door, the agents immediately took rifle fire, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
"It sounded like 20 shots in succession," Brian, a neighbor, told ABC News. Within seconds, authorities swarmed the area, he said.
The gunman, who was the subject of the search, died of a self-inflicted gunshot, law enforcement sources said. His name is not being released yet pending notification of next of kin, FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge George Piro said Tuesday evening during a press briefing.
The two slain agents were identified as Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger, FBI Director Christopher Wray said.
"Special Agent Alfin and Special Agent Schwartzenberger exemplified heroism today in defense of their country," Wray said in a statement. "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.”
"These Agents were working to protect the most vulnerable in our society," O'Hare said in a statement. "FBIAA stands with the Agents’ families and pledges our support to them during this difficult time."
Alfin, 36, a New York native, joined the FBI in 2009. He was assigned to FBI Miami in 2017 and has worked crimes against children violations for over six years. He is survived by his wife and child.
Schwartzenberger, 43, of Pueblo, Colorado, joined the FBI in 2005. She was assigned to FBI Miami in 2010 and has worked crimes against children cases for over seven years. She is survived by her husband and two children.
"The FBI is a family, and our chosen profession is fraught with danger. Today this grim reality has taken two of our best from our family," Piro said. "We are saddened by their loss as we struggle to come to terms with what happened. However, as we grieve their loss, we will continue the mission to protect the American people."
ABC News' Meredith Deliso, Josh Margolin, Victor Oquendo and Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
