A Citibank security guard prevented what could have been a far worse tragedy Wednesday when he fatally shot an armed attacker who killed one employee and injured four others at the company’s Tampa-area office complex.
Attack Unfolds During Lunch Hour
The incident began around 12:11 p.m. when the suspect drove a four-door sedan through a fenced area and crashed into an outdoor seating space where employees were eating lunch, according to Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Frank Losat. After the vehicle stopped, the attacker exited with a rifle and immediately shot a female Citibank employee, killing her. Four other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, though authorities have not confirmed whether the vehicle or gunfire caused those wounds.
The armed security guard confronted the suspect inside the building’s cafeteria, where the two exchanged gunfire. The guard’s shots struck the attacker, who was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister described the incident as targeted based on preliminary information, though investigators continue examining the details.
Financial Grievance Investigated as Possible Motive
Law enforcement sources told ABC News the suspect may have harbored a financial grievance, and authorities are investigating whether it connected to the bank. Investigators are working to determine if the suspect and victim knew each other. With approximately 3,200 Citibank employees on the property during the attack, deputies expected to conduct witness interviews well into the night. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending full identification and family notification.
Citibank CEO Jane Fraser confirmed the deceased was a company employee in an internal message. She praised the security team’s response and announced additional security measures at all Citibank locations as necessary. The Tampa campus has been secured, and counseling resources were made available to employees.
Massive Law Enforcement Response
The shooting prompted a substantial emergency response, including heavily armed deputies, armored vehicles, and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Authorities cleared all buildings in the complex and expected crime scene processing to continue possibly into Thursday due to the large area involved. Chief Deputy Losat commended the security guard who stopped the threat, noting the potential for additional violence had the attacker not been neutralized quickly.