More details are emerging about the two FBI agents who were shot and killed when they arrived to search an apartment in a child pornography case in Florida on Tuesday. FBI director Christopher A. Wray identified the two dead agents as Laura Schwartzenberger and Daniel Alfin, both of whom specialize in investigating crimes against children.
Three other policemen were injured in the shooting. The suspect also died.
The shootings marked one of the bloodiest days in FBI history in South Florida and one of the deadliest nationally, according to the FBI website. Schwartzenberger, a native of Pueblo, Colorado, is the third female agent to die in the line of duty outside the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, reports CBS Denver.
WPEC-TV
Schwartzenberger, 43, has been an FBI agent since December 2005 and worked at the Miami office in a squad of agents who dealt with violent crimes against children, according to court records. His work has mainly focused on tracking criminals who sexually exploit children on the Internet and investigating other crimes against children. Schwartzenberger leaves her husband and two children, said George Piro, who heads the FBI’s Miami office, at a news conference.
CBS affiliate WPEC-TV spoke with Schwartzenberg in 2018 for an investigative article on sexual extortion. In 2013, she also spoke with CBS Miami about capturing anyone who exploits other people, including children.
“Extortion is a form of exploitation in which the perpetrator uses coercion to obtain sexual images or videos, money or even sex from the victim. The victim can be an adult, a teenager or a child,” she said.
Alfin, 36, who also investigated child exploitation cases, had previously worked at FBI headquarters dealing with major cases involving violent crimes against children, according to court records. He had a degree in information technology and passed FBI specialized training programs for cybercrime. He was involved in a major child exploitation investigation dubbed Playpen, which resulted in arrests around the world.
“It’s the same with any criminal violation,” said Alfin in 2017 of the Playpen case. “As they get smarter, we adapt, we find them. It’s a cat and mouse game, except that it’s not a game. Children are being abused and it’s our job to stop it.”
Alfin leaves his wife and son, said Piro.
Alfin’s brother is a sergeant in the Coral Springs Police Department and his sister-in-law works with the Pembroke Pines police, CBS Miami reported.
Alfin started his FBI career at the FBI’s Albany office in 2009 before leaving in 2014, said CBS affiliate WRGB-TV. In a statement, Albany’s office said he was “heartbroken”, calling Alfin an incredible agent.
After the shooting on Tuesday, police motorcycles with their flashing lights escorted a rescue truck carrying the body of one of the officers to the coroner’s office in Dania Beach. Law enforcement officers from various agencies lined up to pay their respects when a flag-covered body was removed from the vehicle and carried inside.
“Special Agent Alfin and Special Agent Schwartzenberger exemplified heroism today in defense of their country,” Wray said in a statement. “The FBI will always honor your final sacrifice and will be forever grateful for your bravery.”
President Joe Biden offered his condolences during an immigration event at the White House.
“They put their lives at risk and that is a hell of a price to pay,” he said of the agents. “My heart hurts for families.”