A stranger drove nearly 90 miles to a corporate office complex where thousands of employees were working. Minutes later, a woman was gone, terrified workers were running for safety, and an armed security officer was confronting the intruder. But the most disturbing discovery came afterward: the suspect had no personal connection to his victim. Investigators say his anger began with a credit card debt of just over $2,500.

TAMPA, FLORIDA — A ᴅᴇᴀᴅly sh*oting at Citibank’s sprawling office campus in Brandon on November 4, 2026, has left a family grieving and thousands of employees shaken.

Authorities identified the suspect as Jacob Pearson, 35, an Orlando resident who traveled approximately 90 miles to the financial company’s Tampa-area property.

The victim was Leanne Selman, 41, a longtime Citibank employee who had worked for the company for nine years.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister revealed that Pearson was not a Citibank employee and had no known personal connection to Selman.

Instead, investigators believe he targeted the company because of an escalating dispute over unpaid credit card debt.

The $2,500 Debt That Investigators Say Triggered the Tragedy

The disturbing sequence began on the morning of November 4.

Pearson had received a court summons involving approximately $2,556 in unpaid credit card debt.

According to investigators, he became furious after learning that legal proceedings were moving forward.

At around 9 a.m., Pearson contacted the attorney’s office handling the collection.

During that conversation, authorities say he made explicit threats against Citibank.

He demanded that the court case be canceled and warned that he could arrive at the company’s offices carrying weapons and protective equipment.

The attorney’s office alerted Citibank security.

Law enforcement in Orlando was then asked to locate Pearson.

But by the time officers attempted to intervene, he had already left the area.

A White-Collar Workplace Becomes a Scene of Terror

Shortly after noon, Pearson arrived at the Citibank campus in Brandon.

The corporate complex contained four three-story office buildings and approximately 3,200 employees.

Many workers were eating lunch or carrying out their normal duties.

At approximately 12:10 p.m., Pearson drove his vehicle through a security gate.

The car entered a courtyard where employees had been gathering.

According to Sheriff Chronister, Pearson exited the vehicle carrying a rifle.

He then opened fire.

Within moments, employees began running for safety as the peaceful corporate campus descended into chaos.

Who Was the Suspect Really After?

Perhaps the most unsettling revelation came when investigators examined the relationship between Pearson and the woman he had targeted.

Leanne Selman had no known connection to him.

She was not the attorney handling his debt collection.

She was not responsible for the court summons.

She had no identified involvement in his financial dispute.

According to the sheriff, Pearson sh*t the first employee he encountered after entering the property.

Investigators believe he had targeted Citibank as an insтιтution, rather than pursuing a particular employee.

Selman happened to be in his path.

The revelation has made the tragedy especially painful for those who knew her.

She had simply arrived at work expecting an ordinary Wednesday.

Instead, she became the victim of a dispute in which she had played no known role.

A Security Officer’s Split-Second Decision

The situation could have become considerably worse.

As employees fled, Pearson moved toward the building’s cafeteria.

But inside the complex, an armed security officer was preparing to confront him.

Authorities identified the officer as John Fraley, 38, a Marine Corps veteran who worked as a vice president and intelligence lead analyst within Citibank’s security operations.

Fraley encountered Pearson inside the building.

During the confrontation, Fraley fired at the suspect, striking him five times.

The intervention ended the immediate threat.

Deputies reached the cafeteria within minutes and began providing medical ᴀssistance.

Pearson was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 1:12 p.m.

Sheriff Chronister publicly praised Fraley for his response.

He credited the security officer with preventing a potentially much larger tragedy.

Investigators Discover the Suspect Had More Ammunition

Authorities later revealed details suggesting that Pearson had prepared for a prolonged confrontation.

Investigators said he arrived with approximately 90 rounds of ammunition.

His rifle reportedly malfunctioned after three sH๏τs.

Pearson then returned to his vehicle, retrieved a handgun and continued firing.

Altogether, he discharged approximately 15 rounds before being stopped.

Sheriff Chronister said the suspect appeared determined to harm people at the campus.

The presence of thousands of employees made the danger especially serious.

Four other people were treated at hospitals for minor injuries or medical concerns.

All four were subsequently released.

A Beloved Employee Who Never Came Home

For Citibank employees, the most devastating part of the incident was the loss of Leanne Selman.

Selman lived in Palm Harbor and served as a learning advisor for Citi Security and Investigative Services.

She had spent nearly a decade with the company.

Colleagues remembered her as a valued member of the organization.

Citigroup representatives expressed sorrow over her pᴀssing and offered support to employees affected by the incident.

Sheriff Chronister emphasized that Selman had gone to work like any other day.

Her family had no reason to believe she would not return home.

The fact that she had no known connection to the suspect has only deepened the sense of heartbreak surrounding the case.

Could the Warning Have Prevented the Attack?

The investigation has also raised questions about the threatening phone call made hours before the incident.

Authorities confirmed that Citibank security and Orlando law enforcement were alerted.

Officers attempted to locate Pearson before he reached the Tampa-area campus.

However, he was already traveling when authorities began responding to the warning.

By the time deputies arrived at Citibank, the incident was unfolding.

Investigators are continuing to examine the timeline and the actions taken after the threat was reported.

The available evidence does not establish that the tragedy could definitely have been prevented.

But the case highlights how quickly a threatening statement can escalate into a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly emergency.

The Question That Still Haunts the Citibank Campus

When the first reports emerged, one question immediately captured public attention.

Who was the suspect targeting?

Was he a disgruntled employee?

Was there a personal dispute?

Did he know the woman whose life he took?

Investigators have now answered the central question.

Jacob Pearson was not a Citibank employee, and authorities found no known personal connection between him and Leanne Selman.

Instead, they believe he traveled to the campus because of anger surrounding a debt collection case.

The financial dispute involved approximately $2,500.

The human cost was immeasurable.

A woman who had nothing to do with the dispute never returned to her family. Thousands of employees experienced a terrifying afternoon. And one security officer’s intervention prevented the tragedy from escalating further.

The investigation remains active, but the central motive identified by authorities is now clear.

What began with a credit card debt ended in a devastating loss that no amount of money can repair.

Sources

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office — November 5, 2026

Official statement identifying the suspect, victim, debt dispute and security officer