Newly released body camera video shows deputies escorting employees from a Citibank building following a deadly shooting at the Tampa-area campus. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
A Florida Marine veteran has been hailed as a hero after fatally shooting a gunman who stormed a Citibank campus and targeted employees over an unpaid $2,500 credit card balance, officials said Thursday.
During a briefing on the attack, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister identified the security officer as John Fraley. Fraley confronted 35-year-old Jacob Pearson inside the corporate complex shortly after Pearson shot and killed a Citibank employee.
Chronister said Fraley was authorized to carry a firearm because of his military background and training. Citibank allows former military and law enforcement personnel serving in security roles to carry handguns, he said.
The sheriff praised Fraley for choosing to confront the threat rather than retreat to safety, saying the guard took a tactical position after seeing Pearson approach and acted to protect others.
Newly released body camera video shows Hillsborough County deputies responding Wednesday to a fatal shooting at the Citibank campus in Brandon, Florida. (The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Chronister said Fraley’s decision placed his own life in danger but stopped the gunman before he could hurt more people.
Pearson was married and had a 7-year-old child, according to the sheriff.
Authorities said Pearson became enraged after receiving a court summons over a $2,500 debt owed to Citibank. Around 9 a.m. Wednesday, he called a law firm hired by the bank to collect the debt and allegedly threatened those on the phone before leaving his home in Orlando.
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According to Fox 13, Pearson threatened to go to the firm armed with an AR-15 and wearing body armor unless the court case was canceled. He also warned the employees that the location was just over an hour away and told them not to interfere with him.
Law enforcement officers gather at a Tampa-area business park after an active shooter was reported Wednesday. The incident left one suspect and one victim dead. (Fox News)
Citibank’s security chief, a retired Secret Service agent, recognized the potential danger and took immediate precautions. He requested a welfare check from the Orlando Police Department and asked the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to send deputies to the campus.
Despite those warnings, Pearson drove to the Brandon campus and smashed through a gate into a courtyard where employees were gathered.
He exited his sedan carrying a rifle and shot 41-year-old learning adviser LeAnne Selmon three times, Chronister said. The rifle then malfunctioned.
According to the sheriff, Pearson returned to his vehicle, retrieved a handgun and went back to Selmon as she attempted to crawl away. Authorities said he shot her again.
Chronister said Pearson appeared intent on finding and killing anyone he encountered. He credited Fraley, Citibank’s vice president of operations and security officer, with ending the attack before more victims were found.
Pearson then entered a cafeteria, apparently looking for additional victims, before encountering Fraley, the sheriff said. Fraley took cover in a men’s restroom and opened fire, striking Pearson five times.
Pearson was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
