LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - It had all the ingredients of workplace violence: a manager, an angry employee, a discussion about job performance and at least one gun.
    
But in this case, both people were federal agents. And when gunfire erupted in a government office building, a third agent drew his handgun and took out the shooter, helping save the manager's life.
    
Investigators on Friday were still piecing together the details of Thursday's chaotic scene at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Long Beach.
    
The confrontation apparently began during a discussion involving Kevin Kozak, the agency's second-in-command for the Los Angeles area, and a lower-ranking supervisor agent named Ezequiel Garcia.
    
At some point, the discussion escalated, and Garcia pulled out his weapon and fired. Kozak was hit six times.  He was hospitalized in stable condition but was alert and talking.
 
After Garcia fired, a nearby agent drew his own gun and fatally shot the attacker. The third agent, whose name was being withheld, was placed on administrative leave.
    
A federal official with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that Kozak had denied a request for an internal transfer request by Garcia. 
    
ICE routinely reallocates resources in line with priorities, but does not disclose information about transfers due to security reasons.
    
ICE Director John Morton said that he visited Kozak and his family in the hospital. "He is alert, he is stable and he is focused on his recovery," Morton said.
     
Along with the FBI, the shooting was being investigated by ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility and Long Beach police.
    
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