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Job Performance Discussion Led To Shooting That Left 1 ICE Agent Dead, Another Wounded

LONG BEACH (CBS) — The two ICE agents shot, one fatally, at a federal building in Long Beach were discussing the alleged shooter's job performance.

Shots erupted Thursday night on the 7th floor of the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building. Initial reports said one person was shot behind closed doors, which later became reports of an ICE agent firing upon another agent in the stomach.

The alleged shooter, supervisory Special Agent Ezequiel Garcia, 45, was declared dead at the scene. Garcia, who worked as a supervisor for Homeland Security Investigation's benefit fraud task force, began his federal law enforcement career in 1998.

Kevin Kozak
ICE Deputy Special Agent-In-Charge Kevin Kozak

Deputy Special Agent-In-Charge Kevin Kozak, 51, suffered six gunshot wounds to his legs, stomach and hands and was rushed to the hospital, where he is now alert and talking with family and friends, said Claude Arnold, special agent in charge for ICE/Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles. Kozak reported directly to Arnold.

"Agent Kozak is alive today because of the heroic actions of a third ICE supervisor," Arnold said. "While that agent's quick thinking saved Agent Kozak's life, it also meant one of his colleagues died."

That third agent's name will not be released to protect his privacy, Arnold said.

The FBI is investigating the shooting, Arnold said, declining to further divulge details about the shooting. However, the Los Angeles Times reports that the shooting erupted during a discussion about Garcia's job performance.

»RELATED STORY: ICE Agent Turns Gun On Supervisor At Long Beach Federal Building

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