Two people, including the armed suspect, died Wednesday afternoon after a shooting at the Citibank Center campus in Brandon, Florida. The incident began shortly after noon when a driver crashed a small four‑door sedan through the security fence into an outdoor employee dining area, according to Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Frank Losat.
The suspect exited the vehicle carrying a rifle and opened fire on a woman seated in the lunch area, killing her on the spot. Authorities have not released the victim’s name.
Security Guard Stops Further Bloodshed
Within four minutes of the first 911 calls, an armed Citibank security guard confronted the gunman inside the cafeteria. The two exchanged gunfire, and the suspect was shot. Paramedics transported him to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Four additional individuals were taken to a local hospital for injuries that were not life‑threatening. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officials initially described the shooting as a targeted incident, though investigators have not confirmed whether the suspect and the victim knew each other.
Law‑Enforcement Response
More than 360 deputies, SWAT teams, and local, state, and federal law‑enforcement officers converged on the facility within minutes. Approximately 3,200 employees were on the corporate campus at the time of the attack. Officers spent two and a half hours searching and clearing multiple three‑story buildings to secure the area.
During the immediate response, the sheriff’s office established staging sites to manage staff and concerned families. A triage station was set up in the parking lot of the nearby Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel, and employees’ families were directed to meet at the Staybridge Suites Tampa East on Queen Palm Drive.
Official Praise for the Guard
Losat praised the security guard’s actions, saying, “We stopped the threat. The security guard employed by Citibank stopped the threat. Was there potential for other violence? Absolutely. Kudos to that security guard.”
Witness interviews and the criminal investigation are expected to continue through the night.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
