SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) – Several FBI agents were shot Tuesday morning while serving warrants in a child exploitation case in South Florida, authorities said. The suspect appeared to be incarcerated in an apartment complex unit surrounded by law enforcement officers.
A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that several FBI agents were shot while serving the warrant, and the extent of their injuries was not immediately known. The officer was unable to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson was briefed on the shooting and was closely monitoring the situation Tuesday, a Justice Department spokesman said.
Gunfire broke out at about 6 a.m. with about four shots, said Julius McLymont, whose house is adjacent to the Water Terrace apartment complex.
“Boom boom boom boom,” he said.
He thought it was a car kickback, but about two minutes later he heard another burst of about five shots. He went out and looked over his fence as police cars and ambulances rushed in. Then he saw officers working with someone lying on the ground, who was then loaded into an ambulance.
Then a SWAT team appeared, with agents in riot gear. Then they walked around the building shouting ‘go, go,’.
McLymont said he could not see the apartment where the shooting took place from its location.
Authorities did not immediately provide information about the suspect, who reportedly remained in the house surrounded by officers.
Another large contingent of officers gathered outside a Fort Lauderdale hospital where victims were taken, according to television video.
Sunrise Police tweeted about the heavy police presence and the closure of surrounding roads.
The shooting took place in Water Terrace, a complex of multi-unit houses. Hours later, Sunrise Police urged residents to stay indoors and be patient while the police blocked entrances to their community.
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Balsamo contributed from Washington. Frieda Frisaro contributed from Fort Lauderdale.