FBI Workplace Shootout Leaves Agent Dead, Another Wounded
A federal agent has been killed in a workplace dispute that escalated into a gunfight between two agents in a federal building.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent has been shot and killed after opening fire on another agent during a workplace dispute. The gunfight took place in the agency's office in a the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building in Long Beach, Calif., according to a Yahoo News report.
One ICE agent allegedly opened fire on a colleague Thursday evening around 5:30 p.m., leaving that agent hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
ICE released a written statement, announcing that one of the agents had died at the scene, according to ABC News.
"One of the agents died at the scene," the statement said. "The second agent was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition. The names of the agents are not being released pending notification of the next of kin."
The incident has been characterized as workplace violence by Steve Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office.
"This situation began with what we can characterize as an incident of workplace violence," Martinez said.
According to Martinez, the intervention of a third ICE agent led to the death of the initial shooter.
"Another agent, working nearby, intervened and fired his weapon to prevent additional rounds being fired at the victim," Martinez said. "This resulted in the death of the shooter. At this time, we believe this was an isolated incident and the other shooter was acting alone."
Claude Arnold, special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles, said that words couldn't adequately describe how he felt.
"We are like a family," Arnold said. "When something like this happens, it affects us all."
The FBI has launched an investigation into the incident and will be assisted by the Long Beach Police Department.
