Two FBI Agents in Florida Killed in Deadly Shootout Before Gunman Takes Own Life

By Mary Anne R. (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Feb 02, 2021 09:35 PM EST

Broward County Sheriff escort a Coral Springs Parkland Fire Department vehicle as it leaves the Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services after the killing of two FBI agents during the serving of a warrant on February 02, 2021 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The FBI agents were killed in the city of Sunrise, Florida as they were executing a federal-search warrant in a crimes-against-children case. (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation were fatally shot and three more were wounded while serving a warrant at a home in Sunrise, Florida, according to officials. Meanwhile, the suspected gunman barricaded himself inside his home for several hours before taking his own life.

FBI Director Christopher Wray named in a statement the agents that were shot and killed in line of duty. The agents were Special Agent Daniel Alfin and Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger.

The FBI Director added that the two were executing a federal court ordered search warrant in crimes against children investigation in Sunrise, Florida.

"Three other agents were shot and wounded; two suffered injuries requiring hospital care, but both are now in stable condition. The third injured agent did not require hospitalization," Wray was quoted on The Blaze report.

Deadly shootout

Law enforcement officials said that the investigation is still working to connect together the circumstances of the encounter. Officials have also not yet identified the suspect, saying that they would not do so until they notify the person's family.

George Piro, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Miami Field Office, said that the agents serve such warrants almost daily. In addition, they thoroughly research and meticulously plan to take into account any threats or dangers.

Piro noted that warrants end without incidents and investigators continue their work, according to a Washington Post report.

Children in multicolored backpacks on Tuesday were being escorted by crossing guards across the street, where yellow caution tape marked a police barrier.

The apartment complex was reported to be located within a four-mile radius of at least three schools, which includes the Franklin Academy Charter School.

Some parents on Tuesday afternoon left work to pick up their children after hearing about the shooting.

Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson was said to have been briefed on the shooting and looking at the investigation, according to a Justice Department spokeswoman in D.C.

FBI Agents' Death

One of the deadliest shootouts in the history of FBI includes a 1986 shootout between FBI officers and two violent bank robbers outside Miami. This led to reforms for both federal law enforcement agencies, according to a Fox News report.

The suspects at the time were serial robbers and killers with military training and weapons superior to those of law enforcement. The suspects were Michael lee Platt and William Russel Matix;

The two were known to use high-caliber weapons and stolen cars in a series of robberies that left multiple victims dead.

Special Agent Edmundo Mireles was one of the three agents who suffered serious wounds in the gunfight. Mireles the managed to shoot and kill both suspects with his shotgun and a revolver as they tried to escape in a car.

The FBI lists 81 agents and other employees who have lost their lives in line of duty, according to the bureau. The total includes whose deaths were attributed to illness connected to the Sept. 1, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Tags FBI, shootout, Florida