Gunman killed by armed guard after deadly shooting at Brandon Citibank: HCSO

BRANDON, Fla. - An armed security guard shot and killed a gunman who drove onto the Citibank Center campus in Brandon on Wednesday and shot a woman outside before entering the cafeteria, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. 

Brandon office shooting details

What we know:

Emergency calls began pouring into 911 dispatchers at 12:11 p.m. reporting gunfire at the corporate plaza, bringing the first marked Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office unit to the scene within one minute, according to Chief Deputy Frank Losat with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He said the driver plowed a small, four-door sedan over medians and grass before crashing through a secure fence line into an outdoor dining area. 

Investigators said the gunman stepped out of the wrecked car holding a rifle, walked up to a woman who was sitting outside eating lunch and shot her. The shooter then moved inside the building toward the cafeteria, where an armed security officer confronted him at 12:15 p.m., traded gunfire, and fatally wounded the attacker.

HCSO released 911 audio, body camera and aviation footage from their response to the shooting. Law enforcement could be seen going inside the building and finding the suspect down. It also shows employees on the campus being ushered out of rooms they were hiding in before going outside with their hands up. 

Unidentified suspect and victims

What we don't know:

Authorities have not released the names of the dead shooter or the woman he shot near the patio. It remains unclear whether the gunman and the female victim knew each other before the attack.

Officials have not explained how four other people hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries were hurt during the incident. Detectives plan to spend Wednesday night questioning witnesses to pinpoint the motive behind the violence.

Armed guard stops threat

What they're saying:

"We stopped the threat. The security guard employed by Citibank stopped the threat. Was there potential for other violence? Absolutely," Losat said. "Kudos to that security guard." 

Officials credited extensive multi-agency active shooter preparation for the rapid containment. "This is a sad day for everybody involved, the Tampa Bay Area and surrounding communities and law enforcement partners," Losat said. 

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister also commented on the shooting:

"This was a tragic situation where a victim was killed by an individual who was intent on killing as many people as possible. Thanks to the brave actions by the security team onsite and more than 365 deputies, this unhinged suspect was stopped before he could harm anyone else."

Massive emergency law response

By the numbers:

The shooting triggered a response from 400 total law enforcement personnel, which included 367 Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies, specialized SWAT teams in tactical gear, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews, and state and federal partners. First responders spent two and a half hours clearing and searching six or seven three-story buildings across the office complex.

Roughly 3,200 Citibank workers were inside the facilities when gunfire broke out, according to emergency officials. Paramedics took the wounded gunman to Tampa General Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead.

CitiBank memo after shooting

What they're saying:

A memo from CitiBank Chair and CEO Jane Fraser was sent out to employees after the shooting, and CitiBank shared it with FOX 13. Read below for the full memo:

"I am writing with heartbreaking, awful news. Earlier today, there was a shooting at our office in Tampa, Florida, and I am devastated to share that one of our colleagues has lost their life.

This is a terrible tragedy for our Citi family. My heart goes out to our colleague’s loved ones, all our colleagues in Tampa and everyone affected by this horrific act of violence. I am grateful to the brave actions of our security team who prevented this awful day from being even worse.

We are still learning the details of what happened and are working closely with local law enforcement, who remain on site. The Tampa campus is secure, and we are adding additional security to all of our other sites as necessary.

Today’s news is incredibly distressing, and we have counseling and other resources available to help you through the difficult days ahead.

I ask that we all look out for one another, particularly our colleagues closest to this tragedy. There is little I can say that will ease the shock and sadness of what has happened. But I want our Tampa colleagues to know that they are not facing this alone. Our entire Citi family stands with them, and we will be there for them in the difficult days ahead."