BRANDON, Fla. – A tragic shooting unfolded Wednesday morning at the Citibank Center in Brandon when Jacob Pearson, 35, drove from Orlando to the corporate campus and opened fire on employee LeAnne Selman, 41. The incident left Selman dead and prompted a swift response from Citibank security and Hillsborough County deputies.
Events leading up to the attack
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Pearson called a law firm handling Citibank’s debt‑collection case and threatened violence, demanding the court case be dismissed. He then traveled to the Citibank campus, crashed his vehicle through a courtyard security gate, and shot Selman three times. When Selman tried to crawl away, Pearson retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and finished the attack.
Security guard’s decisive action
John Fraley, a Citibank security officer and Marine Corps veteran, tracked Pearson into a men’s restroom and opened fire from a tactical position. Pearson sustained five gunshot wounds in the exchange and later died at Tampa General Hospital. Sheriff Chad Chronister praised Fraley’s actions, stating the guard’s heroism stopped further bloodshed and protected thousands of employees who were on the premises.
Impact on the workplace
At the time of the shooting, roughly 3,200 Citibank employees were present on the campus. The gunfire caused a mass evacuation, with many workers fleeing the building or seeking shelter in nearby rooms. Four additional employees required medical attention for minor injuries, and a pregnant worker was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Investigation details
Authorities have not yet determined why Pearson singled out Selman or how he obtained the firearms used in the attack, noting that he had no prior criminal record. The sheriff’s office is reviewing phone records, the threat call, and the circumstances surrounding Pearson’s departure from his Orlando home after his wife reported he left looking angry.
Community response
Colleagues remembered Selman as a dedicated human‑resources learning advisor who had served Citibank for nine years. The tragedy has shaken the Brandon community, prompting expressions of sympathy for Selman’s family and gratitude toward the security team that averted a larger disaster.
Official statements
“Because of the heroic actions of this Citibank security officer, the reign of terror ended before it even began,” Sheriff Chronister said. “We commend Mr. Fraley for his bravery and for protecting the lives of thousands of Floridians today.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and the sheriff’s office will release further details as they become available.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
