Flags lowered in Colorado for FBI agent killed in Florida

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has ordered flags to be lowered at half-staff on all public buildings across the state on Saturday after the death of FBI agent Laura Schwartzenberger, who was gunned down this week while serving a search warrant in Florida.

Schwartzenberger, who is from Colorado, was killed Tuesday in Sunrise, west of Fort Lauderdale, while serving a court-ordered federal search warrant for violent crimes against children, federal authorities said.

Polis made the decision to mark the death of Schwartzenberger by ordering flags at half-staff on Saturday, The Gazette reported Friday.

Schwartzenberger started her career at FBI Albuquerque Division in New Mexico in 2005 before serving in the FBI for 15 years. She moved to Miami in 2010 where she investigated crimes against children.

The agency said Schwartzenberger worked anonymously, teaching children and adults how to avoid online sexual exploitation.

Schwartzenberger was born in Pueblo, Colorado, and graduated from Pueblo South High School in 1996. She later attended Colorado State University for a year before receiving a degree in criminal justice at Northeastern University in 2000.

“As the FBI family, the law enforcement family, and the Colorado community grieve the loss of these heroes, we will honor their ultimate sacrifice by continuing our mission to protect the American people,” Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said.

Schwartzenberger is survived by her husband and two children.

FBI agent Daniel Alfin, 36, was also killed in the shooting and three other agents were injured.

Two of the injured agents were hospitalized and released earlier this week and the third was treated at the scene. The suspected shooter allegedly died by suicide after the standoff.