Debt-Fueled Rampage at Tampa Citibank: Gunman Kills Employee Before Guard Stops Him
A man reportedly enraged over a $2,500 debt crashed his car into a Citibank complex near Tampa on Wednesday and fatally shot an employee before being stopped by an armed security guard, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The gunman, identified as 35-year-old Jacob Pearson, had received a summons over the debt on Wednesday and made threats against the bank in a message to the attorney’s office handling debt collection for Citibank, law enforcement said Thursday.
Sheriff Chad Chronister identified the victim as 41-year-old Leanne Selman during a Thursday afternoon news conference. Authorities say Pearson drove a vehicle into the Citibank Center and then proceeded into the main building, where he encountered security officer John Fraley. In an exchange of gunfire, Fraley fatally shot Pearson, ending the attack. The sheriff’s office reported that one woman was killed and four others were injured in the incident. Video footage shows the gunman getting out of the car before entering the building.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine a motive for the attack and whether there was any connection between the suspect and the person who was killed. The attack appears to have been triggered by the debt collection summons Pearson received earlier that day. The sheriff’s office praised the quick actions of the security guard, who prevented further loss of life.
This tragic event highlights the potential for extreme violence when individuals face financial pressures. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and is asking anyone with information to come forward. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Shimanta Das 
