SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - Two FBI agents are dead and three others have been injured after a shooting erupted while they tried to serve a warrant in a violent crimes against children case in Sunrise.
Several police agencies responded to the scene near the intersection of Northwest 44th Street and Nob Hill Road, at around 6 a.m., Tuesday.
“The operation this morning in Sunrise ended tragically with the subject opening fire on the members of the search team,” FBI Special Agent in Charge George Piro said. “Five agents were struck by gunfire, resulting in the deaths of two agents with the other three agents sustaining wounds of varying severity.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday flew in from Washington to honor the agents who had died.
According to the FBI, the incident began when a team of agents went to execute a search warrant at 10100 Reflections Blvd. The search warrant was part of a child pornography investigation, but the man at the apartment would not cooperate and barricaded himself inside.
As agents approached the door, the gunman began shooting, and a total of five agents were shot. Wray identified the agents killed as Special Agent Daniel Alfin and Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger. Both were members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Of the injured agents, two were taken to the hospital in stable condition, and the third did not require hospitalization.
Authorities also said the subject is dead, and the shooter died by suicide.
“Two of the agents, both shot multiple times, were transported to a local hospital,” Piro said. “One agent had his wounds treated at the scene. The subject is also deceased. His name will not be released pending notification of next of kin.”
President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting at the White House.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those FBI special agents,” he said. “Two of whom were killed and three of whom were injured today in Florida. I was briefed on this tragedy earlier today, and I know the FBI is gathering information about how this happened, what happened, but I can only imagine how these families are feeling today.”
Two bodies draped with American flags could be seen being brought into the Broward Medical Examiner’s office in Dania Beach at around 10 a.m.
A procession of officers could also be seen saluting the fallen agents outside the building. Officers from different agencies gathered outside of the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office in a circle to pray for the families of the fallen and injured agents.
The bodies of the fallen agents were later escorted to funeral homes.
In a statement, Wray said the agents “exemplified heroism today in defense of their country. The FBI will always honor their ultimate sacrifice and will be forever grateful for their bravery.”
Officers and agents stopped to pray across South Florida and to salute the two agents who will not be going home.
“Today reminds us how dangerous law enforcement is,” City of Miami Deputy Police Chief Ronald Papier said.
A heavy police presence could also be seen outside of Broward Health Medical Center.
7News cameras captured the moment one of the injured agents was brought into Broward Health. They were conscious and awake. Concerned family members and colleagues were escorted into the hospital by officers.
Federal agents were also seen carrying evidence bags outside of the hospital.
“Maybe three of four shots definitely caught my attention,” one woman who heard the shooting said. “I didn’t really get a chance to see anything, but then the alert came to our phones about how no one is in danger and there’s an active investigation going on in the area. Very much on lockdown. No one in, no one out, which is why my kids are virtual schooling today. Yeah, they’re not letting anyone in or out of my gate. As of right now, the helicopters are flying above.”
Flags fly at half-staff outside of the FBI’s headquarters in Miramar following the shooting.
7News spoke with neighbors about the horrific scene that unfolded just down the street from them.
“My daughter-in-law called me from Washington,” said Bill Akers. “She said there was police, something going on down the street, so I went outside and looked outside, and I saw the police cars down the street. My neighbor down the street said he heard like machine gun fire at about six o’clock in the morning.”
The FBI’s Inspection Division is now investigating the shooting.
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