Two Dead Following Shooting at Citibank Campus Near Tampa
A suspect and a female victim were killed during a targeted attack at the Citigroup office complex in Brandon, Florida, after armed security intervened.
A shooting at the Citibank office complex in Brandon, Florida, left two people dead, including the suspect, on Wednesday afternoon. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the active threat at the Sabal Park area campus just after noon following numerous 911 calls reporting gunfire.
According to a timeline released by Chief Deputy Frank Losat, emergency calls began at 12:11 p.m., and the first marked law enforcement unit entered the building a minute later. At 12:15 p.m., an armed security guard employed by Citibank engaged the suspect in the cafeteria and shot him. The suspect was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators stated that the suspect drove over medians and through a secured fence into an outdoor area where individuals were having lunch. Armed with a rifle, the driver exited the vehicle and shot a woman, who died at the scene. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the suspect or the victim, nor have they clarified whether the two individuals knew each other.
Witnesses described a scene of panic as employees fled the cafeteria during the lunch hour. One kitchen worker recounted the terrifying moments after the vehicle breached the property. "He drove past the gate," the worker said. "He got out. He started shooting and we ran. Wow. We just all ran."
The sprawling campus housed approximately 3,200 Citigroup employees at the time of the incident. A massive response involving 367 sheriff's office personnel, including SWAT teams, arrived to secure the area. Law enforcement conducted room-to-room sweeps of every building, which took roughly two and a half hours to completely clear.
Sheriff Chad Chronister initially described the event as a targeted incident, while Chief Deputy Losat praised the swift response of the onsite security team. "We stopped the threat. The security guard that's employed by Citibank stopped the threat," Losat said. "Was there potential for further violence? Absolutely. So kudos to that security guard and the people they employ."
Evacuated workers were directed to a designated reunification center set up at a nearby Staybridge Suites on North Falkenburg Road, where concerned relatives gathered to check on loved ones. Nearby educational institutions, including Hillsborough College, advised students and staff to shelter in place while law enforcement secured the surrounding roadways.
Citigroup released a brief statement acknowledging the tragic event. "We are aware of an incident impacting our site in Tampa, Florida and are coordinating with law enforcement," the company stated. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office urged anyone with information or video footage related to the shooting to come forward as the investigation continues.