In brief: Two dead inside burned house; three gunshot victims saved

Los Angeles – A gunman and one of his victims were found dead inside the charred remains of a Hollywood house Thursday where three other gunshot victims had been rescued from the burning home by police and firefighters, authorities said.

The two bodies were found after the fire was out and authorities were able to search the structure.

The three other victims – two women and a man – were found shot at the home when police and firefighters arrived. They were all taken to a hospital in serious condition and expected to survive.

Police believe the gunman had a relationship with one of the surviving victims. The shooting was called “domestically motivated” but authorities did not elaborate.

Same-sex marriage bill passes, but Christie expected to veto it

Trenton, N.J. – The New Jersey Assembly on Thursday passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages, setting the stage for an expected veto by Gov. Chris Christie.

The 42-33 vote sends the bill to Christie, who won’t take immediate action. The Republican governor who opposes gay marriage had promised “very swift action” if the bill passed both houses of the Legislature, but the Assembly isn’t required to send the bill to his desk until the close of business today. The Senate approved the bill Monday.

Christie and most state Republican lawmakers want gay marriage put to a popular vote. Democrats say gay marriage is a civil right protected by the Constitution and not subject to referendum.

Immigration agents exchange shots; one dead, one injured

Long Beach, Calif. – An immigration agent shot and injured another agent Thursday afternoon and was then killed by a third colleague in a federal building in Long Beach, the FBI said.

FBI Special Agent Steven Martinez characterized the incident as a case of workplace violence involving two federal agents.

He said one agent fired several rounds at another agent, wounding him. At that point, another agent intervened and additional rounds were fired, resulting in the death of the shooter.

The wounded agent is hospitalized in stable condition, ICE Special Agent in Charge Claude Arnold.