The two died in an apartment complex that executed a federal search warrant. Three other agents were wounded, two of whom were transported to hospital and have since been released. The suspect in the shooting died at the scene and the FBI said the investigation is continuing.
The agents were known for their exemplary efforts in the field, to curb child abuse with their investigative work and to train students to the dangers of sex crimes.
“Our chosen profession is full of danger. Today, this bad reality has taken two of our best out of our family,” Piro said.
Alfin played a key role in an ‘unprecedented’ investigation into child abuse
Alfin, 36, was a New York resident and began his FBI career in the office in Albany, New York, in 2009. He was hired at the Miami office in 2017 to investigate crimes against children.
According to federal court documents, Alfin said he “is recognized as an expert in federal court in areas related to computer forensic investigations and the investigation of child abuse.”
The documents added that he testified more than 20 times as a witness in more than ten federal jurisdictions.
According to an FBI statement in 2017, Alfin played a critical role in a massive investigation that led to hundreds of arrests of child pornography.
Officials at the time said: “The case – and the thousands of follow-up investigations it has launched – are unprecedented in its scope and scope.”
The case concerns ‘Playpen’, which has been described by authorities as a ‘highly sophisticated, global enterprise dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children, organized through a website run solely for members on the dark web.’
The investigation by Alfin and his team led to the arrest of at least 350 people based in the US, the prosecution of 25 producers of child pornography, the arrests of 51 “practical abusers” and the identification or rescue of 55 American children, the FBI. said.
Abroad, the investigation led to 548 arrests and the identification or rescue of 296 sexually abused children, the FBI said.
“It’s the same with any offense: if they get smarter, we adapt, we find it,” he said. “It’s a cat-and-mouse game, except it’s not a game. Children are being abused, and it’s our job to stop it.”
In 2018, Alfin was honored as part of the team involved in the case, and then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein received the awards.
“Today’s dignitaries deserve the respect of their colleagues. But the most important thing is that they deserve the thanks of our fellow citizens – the people whose communities you have made safer, whose lives you have improved and whose trust you have rewarded. we are silent to honor and recognize a small part of your work, ‘Rosenstein said.
Alfin is survived by his wife and one child, the FBI said.
Schwartzenberger worked with school children to keep them safe
Schwartzenberger, born in Pueblo, Colorado, joined the FBI in 2005 and was hired as an office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to the bureau, she has served in the Miami office since 2010.
She has worked for more than seven years on cases of crimes against children, the FBI said.
“It’s very traumatic for the victim,” Schwartzenberger told WPEC. “Their reputation is at stake.”
This form of extortion by criminals includes’ cases where they hacked into the victim’s computer and hacked the person’s camera. This is where they got images or videos, ” she said.
Schwartzenberger worked in the community to educate school children about protecting themselves and others online, as noted by Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of public schools in Miami-Dade County.
“As an FBI agent, Laura taught our students every year about the dangers of social media and more. She would always say, ‘I feel like I’ll come here and talk about the hard stuff, that I’m not on my own. end. ‘
‘With her presentations, students would gain an awareness of online security, cyberbullying and the FBI agent’s evidence response process.
“She will always answer all the students’ questions directly with care, but with firmness to always remind them of the real world.”
She is survived by her husband and two children, the FBI said.
“Laura was a light in this world. A true warrior, a long time CrossFitter, a wise woman, a wonderful mother and beloved among our CrossFit VICE community,” the organizer said on the page.
A community in shock
The crime scene where the shooting took place was still ongoing on Wednesday as agents gathered additional evidence. The entrance to the complex is guarded by the police.
Full details of what happened are currently unknown, but according to the FBI Agents Association, the warrant has been revealed to be related to the suspicion of child pornography.
According to Sunrise police, the suspect barricaded himself in his residence. It is not yet known the exact circumstances that led to the exchange of gunfire, which according to the FBI led to the death of Alfin and Schwartzenberger by the suspect.
In order to locate the other wounded officers safely, a SWAT vehicle had to be driven into the building to provide cover, a law enforcement source familiar with the shooting said on condition of anonymity.
Some residents in the area, including Jorge Castillo, were incredible that the killings took place so close to their homes. Castillo has been living in the complex for five years, with families with children as well as police officers, he said.
The 76-year-old found the scene worrying. “It worries us,” Castillo said, pointing out that authorities are still discouraging residents from leaving their homes and moving to the complex.
William Beller, the local chief division president of the Federal Law Enforcement Association, told CNN on Wednesday that the association supports agents still working on the crime scene, and also cares for the families of Alfin and Schwartzenberger.
He and his colleague were talking just outside the apartment complex where the shooting took place, after law enforcement officers working at the scene brought lunch. He said the remains would be donated to a local shelter as the times were difficult for everyone.
When asked by CNN how the families were doing, his voice trembled as he said, “The families are mourning.”
He added: “We are all brothers and sisters in law enforcement.” He overcame with emotion and said, ‘All I know is that I could embrace my children today,’ and walked away in tears.
CNN’s Rosa Flores, Sara Weisfeldt, Jason Hanna, Amanda Watts, Shawn Nottingham, Jamiel Lynch and Christina Carrega contributed to this report.