Special Agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger were shot and killed in the line of duty
UPDATE
Special Agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger were shot and killed in the line of duty.
Our sympathies are with their families and loved ones. We, the FBI Family, share in their loss.
As you may know by now, this morning, agents from this office and officers from other partner law enforcement agencies assembled in Sunrise, Florida, to serve a court-ordered federal search warrant for a violent crimes against children investigation.
FBI Miami conducts search warrants almost daily. They are an essential and important part of what we do and are thoroughly researched and meticulously planned to take into account any threats or dangers. The vast majority of these warrants occur without incident and the investigation continues.
The operation this morning in Sunrise ended tragically with the subject opening fire on the members of the search team. Five agents were struck by gunfire, resulting in the deaths of two agents, with the other three agents sustaining wounds of varying severity. Two of the wounded agents, both shot multiple times, were transported to a local hospital. 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.
It takes an incredibly special person to answer the call and do the heroic work of an FBI special agent. It requires self-sacrifice. It requires putting oneself in harm’s way, not once, but again and again.
Dan and Laura left home this morning to carry out the mission they signed up for and loved to do—to keep the American people safe. They were valuable members of our team. They will forever be heroes. We will always honor their ultimate sacrifice.
Dan Alfin was 36 years old. He was born in New York and joined the FBI in 2009 with his initial assignment to the FBI’s Albany, New York, office. He has been assigned to FBI Miami since 2017 and has worked crimes against children violations for over six years. He is survived by his wife and one child.
Laura Schwartzenberger was 43 years old. She was born in Pueblo, Colorado, and joined the FBI in 2005. Her initial assignment was with the FBI’s Albuquerque, New Mexico, office. She was reassigned 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. We are saddened by the loss as we struggle to come to terms with what happened.
As we grieve their loss we will continue our mission to protect the American people.
HFBI Miami Statement on Agent-Involved Shooting
The FBI is reviewing an agent-involved shooting which occurred this morning at approximately 6 a.m. in the vicinity of 10100 Reflections Boulevard, Sunrise, Florida. A team of law enforcement officers were there to execute a federal court-ordered search warrant in furtherance of a violent crimes against children case.
Two FBI agents are deceased and three are wounded. Two wounded agents were transported to hospital and are in stable condition. The names of the deceased will not be released at this time.
The subject is deceased.
In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under investigation by the FBI’s Inspection Division. The review process is thorough and objective and is conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances. Because this is an ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time.
Crimes against children is rampant nationwide.
Recently, an Arlington, Texas man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for the exploitation of children and related child pornography crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Terry Ray Carter, 34, pleaded guilty in September to sexual exploitation of children and transportation of child pornography. He was sentenced Friday before U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor.
“This sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to victimize children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “The Department of Justice will use every tool available to remove predators from the street or internet, and put them behind bars.”
“The FBI will continue working with our partners to apprehend and hold child predators accountable for their actions,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “We ask the public to alert us and local law enforcement if they suspect anyone is a victim of child exploitation.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative designed to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide