Gunman Kills Multiple at Florida Citibank

A dispute over a $2,500 debt turned deadly at a Florida Citibank office complex Wednesday when an armed man crashed through a security fence, opened fire on an employee and triggered a massive police response that sent thousands of workers scrambling for safety.

The shocking attack unfolded around lunchtime on November 4 at the banking giant’s sprawling campus in Brandon, just outside Tampa. One female employee was killed, four other people were injured, and the suspected gunman was fatally shot by an armed security officer who authorities credit with preventing further bloodshed.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister identified the attacker Thursday as 35-year-old Jacob Pearson of Orlando, revealing that the violence apparently stemmed from a dispute involving a $2,500 debt collection.

About three hours before the shooting, Pearson allegedly called an attorney affiliated with Citibank and threatened violence unless a court hearing over the debt was canceled. Investigators say he then drove roughly 90 miles from Orlando to the Tampa-area corporate complex.

Once there, Pearson allegedly smashed his vehicle through a security fence and drove into an outdoor courtyard where employees were enjoying their lunch. Armed with a rifle, he emerged from the vehicle and shot the first employee he encountered, according to Chronister.

The woman died at the scene. Her identity had not been publicly released in the initial reports.

The attack quickly moved toward the building’s cafeteria, where an armed member of Citibank’s security team confronted Pearson. The two exchanged gunfire, and the security officer shot the suspect five times, according to the sheriff.

Pearson was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:12 p.m.

At least four other people were hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Authorities initially said they were investigating whether those injuries resulted from gunfire or the suspect’s vehicle.

The violence sparked chaos across the campus, where more than 3,200 employees were working. Witnesses described hearing gunfire and seeing frightened colleagues rush from buildings as deputies swarmed the property.

David Dzien, a Citibank vice president, told The Associated Press he witnessed the suspect’s vehicle crash through the fence before hearing gunshots and screaming. He fled into a building and escaped through a fire exit.

The response was enormous. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, 367 deputies rushed to the scene, supported by SWAT officers, aviation units and other law enforcement agencies. The first marked patrol vehicle arrived within a minute of the initial emergency calls at 12:11 p.m.

As officers searched the buildings, some employees sheltered in locked rooms while others evacuated to nearby businesses. Approximately 300 workers found refuge at a neighboring hotel, where staff provided water, food and space to contact their families.

Sheriff Chronister praised the security team for stopping an attack that could have claimed additional lives, saying the suspect appeared determined to harm as many people as possible.

Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser confirmed that the woman killed was a company employee and said the banking giant was cooperating with investigators. The company also began implementing additional security measures at other locations.

Although the immediate threat has ended, the deadly shooting has left employees shaken and raised troubling questions about how a dispute over a relatively small debt escalated into violence at one of the nation’s largest banking companies.

Investigators are continuing to examine the attack, including Pearson’s actions before arriving at the complex and the circumstances surrounding his alleged threats.