An Orlando man drove to a Citibank office campus in Florida after threatening violence over a debt of about $2,500, killed a worker and was then shot dead by an armed security guard, authorities said.
Jacob Pearson, 35, crashed through a security gate at the Sabal Center near Brandon shortly after noon on Wednesday, 4 November, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
He opened fire in an outdoor courtyard, killing 41-year-old Leanne Selman, a Citibank employee from Palm Harbor. Pearson then entered the campus as thousands of workers fled or took cover.
He was confronted inside the cafeteria by John Fraley, an armed Citibank security officer and Marine Corps veteran. The two exchanged fire before Pearson was shot several times.
Pearson was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1.12pm. Ms Selman was declared dead at the scene.
Threat followed dispute over debt
Sheriff Chad Chronister said Pearson had contacted a law firm working for Citibank earlier that morning after receiving a court summons over an unpaid debt.
During the call, he allegedly threatened to go to the company’s offices with an AR-15 rifle, body armour and “my insanity” unless the legal proceedings were cancelled.
The law firm alerted Citibank’s head of security, a former Secret Service agent, who contacted police. Officers in Orlando went to Pearson’s home for a welfare check but found that he had already left.
His wife told police that Pearson had departed in an angry state without saying where he was going. Citibank security subsequently warned the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office that he could be travelling to the Tampa-area campus.
Deputies were responding to the warning when Pearson drove through the site’s perimeter. The sheriff’s office said its dispatch centre began receiving reports of gunfire at 12.11pm and the first marked unit arrived within a minute.
Security guard praised for stopping attack
Fraley confronted Pearson in the cafeteria, where the gunman appeared to be looking for further victims, Sheriff Chronister said. The guard shot him within minutes of the first shots being fired.
“John Fraley confronted this suspect and is a hero, plain and simple,” the sheriff said. “In a moment when most people would run away from danger, this guard ran towards it and stopped the threat within minutes of the first shots being fired.”
More than 3,200 people were on the campus at the time. The sheriff’s office said 367 of its deputies responded, supported by SWAT, aviation, drone and canine units, while more than 400 law enforcement personnel from local, state and federal agencies attended overall.
Four other people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. They included workers who suffered cuts and bruises while escaping, a person who reported chest pains and a pregnant employee who went to hospital as a precaution.
Officials said the buildings were cleared within about two hours as employees were escorted from the site.
Investigation remains open
Ms Selman had worked for Citibank for nine years as a learning adviser for Citi Security and Investigative Services. Colleagues described her as a valued member of staff.
Investigators have not said why Pearson targeted Ms Selman, or whether the two had any previous connection. They have also not disclosed how he obtained the firearms and protective equipment involved in the attack.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active. Pearson had no known previous criminal record, according to authorities.
