Multiple FBI agents dead in shootout

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Police officers work near the scene of a shooting that wounded several FBI agents in Sunrise, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

Two FBI agents were killed and three were wounded in a shooting early Tuesday while agents were serving a warrant in a child exploitation case in Florida, according to the FBI. The suspect also died during the standoff, according to the bureau.

At 6:04 a.m., FBI and officers from multiple agencies were serving a warrant at the Water Terrace apartment complex in Sunrise, Florida, when the suspect inside started shooting, according to Otishia Browning-Smith, a spokeswoman for the Sunrise Police Department. The suspect, who was not identified, then barricaded himself inside the residence.

“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,” the FBI said.

Two of the wounded agents were taken to hospitals to be treated and were in stable condition, FBI Miami Special Agent Michael D. Leverock told the Associated Press, adding that the names of the deceased agents will not be released immediately.

“In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under investigation by the FBIâ€™s Inspection Division. The review process is thorough and objective and is conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances,” the FBI said.

Asked how many rounds were fired, Browning-Smith said “there were too many to count.”

Julius McLymont, whose house borders the apartment complex, told the Associated Press the gunfire erupted with about four shots around 6 a.m.

He thought it was a car backfiring but about two minutes later he heard another volley of about five shots. He went outside and looked over his fence as police cars and ambulances rushed in. Then he saw officers working on someone lying on the ground, who was then loaded into an ambulance.

A SWAT team appeared next, with officers donning riot gear. Then they went around the building, yelling â€œgo,Â go, go.â€

McLymont said he couldnâ€™t see the apartment where the shooting happened from his location.

Video from the scene shows several law enforcement agencies swarmingÂ the South Florida neighborhood, just 11 miles outside of Fort Lauderdale.

The Sunrise Police Department announced several roads were closed because ofÂ the heavy police presence on Twitter. Hours later, the department said the scene was safe but urged residents to stay inside due to the “ongoing investigation.”

Another large group of officers gathered outside a hospital in Fort Lauderdale where victims were taken, video shows.

Warrant operations have proved especially dangerous for the FBI agents.

In December, an FBI agent was wounded while serving a warrant near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Derick Pacheco-Garcia, 32, was later charged with assault on a federal officer, and as a felon in possession of a firearm. In 2008, FBI special agent Sam Hicks was fatally shot while serving a warrant near Pittsburgh, Pa., as part of an investigation into violent drug trafficking group.