‘Workplace Violence’ at the California Federal Building

US ICE logo

Assistant Director in Charge, Steven Martinez of the Los Angeles FBI Office stated “This situation began with what we can characterize as an incident of workplace violence,” of last night’s shooting in Long Beach, California.

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)

At 5:54 pm Thursday evening, 911 dispatch received word that shots had been fired at the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building. Allegedly, an ICE Agent opened fire on a high-ranking supervisor (whom the shooter did not directly report to). A third agent stepped in and fatally shot the gunman. The original victim is currently in hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Director of the Trauma Unit at St. Mary’s, James Murray, said his vital signs were at least presently stable. The third agent did not sustain any wounds. None of the names had been released as of earlier this afternoon because family members were yet to be notified.

Apparently, the shooting was over “an unspecified disciplinary matter” between the Immigration and Customs Enforcement official and the lower ranking agent, reports the Associated Press. ICE’s Special Agent in Charge, Claude Arnold, gave a statement that they believed the gunman was acting alone and that it was an isolated occurrence. Arnold added, “At times like this, words honestly seem inadequate. When something like this happens in our offices, it’s incomprehensible”.

As the shooting is still under investigation, there is still a lot yet to be revealed. The Long Beach Police, FBI and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility are sharing the case. Is it the public’s right to know what the supposed dispute between the shooter and supervisor was regarding? Perhaps when an agent commits to maintain homeland security, it is the business of citizens to know why that agent “cracked”…

According to KGO 810 News, the three agents involved in the incident were posted in ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Unit. According to its official website, this unit is responsible for investigating potentially suspicious activities that take place in the United States and overseas; these may include crimes related to immigration, human rights, drug smuggling, weapons and cyber security.

While pursuing a homeland security degree, it is important to put as much emphasis on psychology and crisis management courses as you would on tactical or theoretical curriculum. If you would like to work as an ICE Agent, or another sector of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, you might also consider a political science, a counter terrorism or a cyber security degree.