US: One of Deadliest Shootouts in FBI History Leaves 2 Agents Dead

By Staff, Agencies

The FBI announced that two of its agents were fatally shot and three were wounded in a shootout as they executed a search warrant in Sunrise, Florida, on Tuesday morning.

The subject of the warrant is dead, the FBI said in a statement.

The shooting occurred at about 6 a.m. as a team of law enforcement officers executed the federal court-ordered search warrant as part of a violent crimes against children case, according to a statement from FBI Miami Special Agent Michael D. Leverock and spokesman Jim Marshall.

At an afternoon media briefing, Special Agent in Charge George Piro said the suspect opened fire.

Two agents with multiple gunshot wounds were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition, officials said. The third injured agent was treated at the scene.

FBI Director Christopher Wray identified the deceased agents as Special Agent Daniel Alfin and Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger.

"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," he said in a statement. "The FBI will always honor their ultimate sacrifice and will be forever grateful for their bravery."

The shooting took place at the Water Terrace apartment complex, an upscale gated community outside Fort Lauderdale, at 6:04 a.m., according to Sunrise Police spokeswoman Otishia Browning-Smith. The person who officers were looking for had barricaded himself, she said.

The shootout, one of the deadliest in FBI history, brought a major law enforcement response to the area.

The FBI said its Inspection Division is investigating the shooting.

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