BRANDON, Fla. — An armed security guard employed by Citibank is being hailed by authorities for stopping a gunman who drove onto the company’s sprawling campus Wednesday, fatally shot a female employee during the lunch hour, and then continued into the building.
The attack unfolded around 12:11 p.m. at the Citibank Center (also known as the Sabal Center) in the Brandon area east of Tampa. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Frank Losat, the suspect drove a small sedan over medians and through a grassy area before crashing through a secured fence into an outdoor seating area where employees were eating lunch.
He exited the vehicle carrying a rifle, approached a woman, and shot her, killing her on the scene, officials said. The victim was a Citi employee, according to a statement from company Chair and CEO Jane Fraser.
The gunman then entered the building and headed toward the cafeteria. At approximately 12:15 p.m.—just minutes after the first 911 calls—the armed Citibank security guard confronted him. The two exchanged gunfire, and the suspect was shot. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:12 p.m.
Four other people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. More than 3,200 employees were on the campus at the time. The first marked Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office unit arrived within one minute of the initial 911 calls, and deputies immediately entered the building.
Sheriff Chad Chronister later described the incident as a tragic situation in which a victim was killed by an individual “who was intent on killing as many people as possible.” He credited the security team on site and the response of more than 365 deputies with stopping the suspect “before he could harm anyone else.”
Chief Deputy Losat praised the guard’s actions, stating that the security officer “stopped the threat” and noting that there was “absolutely” potential for further violence had the gunman not been confronted.
A total of 367 Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded, including SWAT, aviation, drone, and K-9 units, along with local, state, and federal partners. Officials said it took roughly two and a half hours to clear the multi-building complex. There is no longer a threat to the public, authorities said.
Cellphone footage circulating on social media, described as having been sent by an anonymous Citibank employee, shows chaotic scenes in the outdoor area: a man with his shirt open holding a rifle as people run, with a voice noting that the gunman had just shot someone. The clip contains no graphic violence. Officials have asked anyone with video or other information to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
Identities of the victim and the deceased suspect have not been released, pending next-of-kin notification. Investigators have not confirmed whether the two knew each other. The motive remains under investigation.
Fraser said in her statement that her heart goes out to the colleague’s loved ones and all affected colleagues in Tampa. “I am grateful to the brave actions of our security team who prevented this awful day from being even worse,” she said. Citi said the Tampa campus is secure and that it is adding security at other sites as needed.
The Sheriff’s Office continues its homicide investigation.
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